NameCensus.

UK surname

Bolla

A surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from an Italian place name or occupation.

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Bolla surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, up from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derby and South Derbyshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bolla is 102 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1900.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

2013

102 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bolla had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 12 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Bolla surname distribution map

The map shows where the Bolla surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Bolla surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bolla over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 5 #32,456
1861 historical 12 #32,329
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1911 historical 6 #33,255
1997 modern 58 #31,831
1998 modern 67 #31,282
1999 modern 64 #31,692
2000 modern 61 #32,039
2001 modern 64 #31,602
2002 modern 71 #31,351
2003 modern 72 #31,281
2004 modern 70 #31,681
2005 modern 70 #31,912
2006 modern 78 #31,385
2007 modern 80 #31,527
2008 modern 85 #31,247
2009 modern 89 #31,235
2010 modern 96 #30,854
2011 modern 98 #30,384
2012 modern 94 #31,258
2013 modern 102 #30,415
2014 modern 100 #31,033
2015 modern 98 #31,342
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Bollas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Derby and South Derbyshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Derby 018 Derby
2 Derby 021 Derby
3 South Derbyshire 003 South Derbyshire
4 Derby 022 Derby
5 Derby 020 Derby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bolla

These lists show first names that appear often with the Bolla surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bolla

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bolla, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Bolla surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Bolla household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Bolla is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bolla is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bolla falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bolla is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bolla, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bolla

The surname BOLLA is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the region of Lombardy. It first appeared in historical records during the 12th century, derived from the Italian word "bolla," meaning a seal or stamp used for official documents. This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who worked as scribes, notaries, or officials responsible for sealing and authenticating important documents.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BOLLA surname can be found in the "Codice Diplomatico Longobardo," a collection of historical documents from the Lombard period in Italy, dated around 1150. This record mentions a certain "Johannes de Bolla," believed to be a nobleman or landowner from the region.

In the 14th century, the BOLLA name appeared in the "Annali di Brescia," a chronicle of the city of Brescia, with a reference to a prominent family known as the "Bolla di Brescia." This family is said to have played a significant role in the political and social affairs of the region during that time.

During the Renaissance period, the BOLLA surname gained further recognition with the birth of Pietro Antonio Bolla (1463-1528), a renowned Italian painter and architect. His works can still be admired in various churches and buildings across northern Italy.

In the 17th century, the BOLLA name was associated with the Venetian Republic, where a noble family bearing this surname held influential positions. One notable member was Marco Bolla (1612-1688), a diplomat and ambassador who represented the Republic in various international negotiations.

Another figure of historical significance was Bartolomeo Bolla (1771-1833), an Italian mathematician and astronomer who made important contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. He served as the director of the observatory in Milan and his works were highly regarded by his contemporaries.

The BOLLA surname has also been recorded in other parts of Europe, such as France and Spain, where it may have been introduced through migration or trade connections with Italy. However, the origins and earliest records of the name can be traced back to the Lombardy region of northern Italy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bolla families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bolla surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 4 Bollas recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.25x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 8.25x
Angus 1 22.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Andrew Holborn London in Middlesex leads with 2 Bollas recorded in 1881 and an index of 952.38x.

Place Total Index
St Andrew Holborn London 2 952.38x
Monifieth 1 625.00x
St George Hanover Square 1 117.65x
St Mary Le Strand London 1 5000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bolla surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Alpine 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bolla surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Battista 1
D. 1
Pietro 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Bolla households.

FAQ

Bolla surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bolla surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Bolla surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bolla surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Bolla a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Bolla surname mean?

A surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from an Italian place name or occupation.

What does the Bolla map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bolla bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.