NameCensus.

UK surname

Gunasekara

A surname of Sri Lankan Tamil origin meaning "possessor of virtues" or "successful person".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Windsor and Maidenhead, Dartford and Greenwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gunasekara is 133 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

123

2016, ranked #27,115

Peak year

2014

133 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 123 in 2016, ranked #27,115.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Gunasekara surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gunasekara surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gunasekara 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
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 44 #33,275
1998 modern 54 #32,518
1999 modern 51 #32,940
2000 modern 53 #32,805
2001 modern 54 #32,583
2002 modern 68 #31,626
2003 modern 70 #31,486
2004 modern 80 #30,679
2005 modern 80 #30,842
2006 modern 88 #30,160
2007 modern 97 #29,156
2008 modern 107 #27,844
2009 modern 116 #27,062
2010 modern 125 #26,448
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 121 #26,829
2013 modern 123 #26,974
2014 modern 133 #25,851
2015 modern 127 #26,494
2016 modern 123 #27,115

Geography

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Where Gunasekaras 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 Windsor and Maidenhead, Dartford, Greenwich, Guildford and Wandsworth. 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 Windsor and Maidenhead 005 Windsor and Maidenhead
2 Dartford 007 Dartford
3 Greenwich 006 Greenwich
4 Guildford 005 Guildford
5 Wandsworth 016 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gunasekara

These lists show first names that appear often with the Gunasekara 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 Gunasekara

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gunasekara, 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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Gunasekara is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

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

Gunasekara 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

Gunasekara falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gunasekara is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Gunasekara

The surname GUNASEKARA originates from Sri Lanka and is of Sinhalese origin. It is believed to have emerged during the Kandyan period of Sri Lankan history, which spanned from the late 15th century to the early 19th century.

The name GUNASEKARA is derived from two Sinhalese words: "guna," meaning virtue or quality, and "sekara," meaning a mountain or a peak. Together, the name can be interpreted as "virtuous mountain" or "mountain of qualities." This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals who possessed admirable traits or lived in mountainous regions.

Some of the earliest known records of the GUNASEKARA surname can be found in ancient Sinhalese literature and historical documents from the Kandyan Kingdom. The name appears in various forms, such as "Gunasekere" and "Gunasekara," reflecting regional variations in spelling and pronunciation.

One of the most notable individuals bearing the GUNASEKARA surname was Mudliyar Don Abraham Gunasekara (1762-1848), a prominent Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) landowner and judicial officer during the British colonial period. He served as the Mudaliyar (chief headman) of the Salpiti Korale, a historical administrative division in Sri Lanka.

Another notable figure was Don Jeremias Gunasekara (1818-1892), a Ceylonese lawyer and politician who played a significant role in advocating for the rights of Sri Lankans during the British colonial era. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon and worked towards the advancement of education and social reforms.

In the field of literature, Munidasa Gunasekara (1877-1947) was a renowned Sinhalese writer and playwright. He is best known for his works such as "Niti Nighanduwa" and "Kumaratunga Munidasa Kavya Sangrahaya," which contributed significantly to the development of Sinhalese literature.

Ediriweera Gunasekara (1899-1983) was a prominent Sinhalese playwright and novelist. His works, including "Maruwa Samaya" and "Dasammala," explored social issues and the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Sinhalese literature.

In the field of politics, Shirley Amerasinghe Gunasekara (1926-2021) was a Sri Lankan politician and diplomat who served as a Member of Parliament and held various ministerial positions in the Sri Lankan government. He played a crucial role in shaping the country's foreign policy and represented Sri Lanka at international forums.

The GUNASEKARA surname has a rich history and has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, politics, law, and social reform in Sri Lanka. While the name's origins can be traced back to ancient times, its legacy continues to be carried forward by individuals of Sinhalese descent around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gunasekara surname: questions and answers

How common is the Gunasekara surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 123 in 2016. That gives Gunasekara a modern rank of #27,115.

What does the Gunasekara surname mean?

A surname of Sri Lankan Tamil origin meaning "possessor of virtues" or "successful person".

What does the Gunasekara map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gunasekara 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.