NameCensus.

UK surname

Gunasekera

A Sinhalese surname meaning 'virtuous accomplishment' or 'virtuous leader'.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnet, Camden and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gunasekera is 134 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

117

2016, ranked #28,033

Peak year

2010

134 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016, ranked #28,033.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gunasekera surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gunasekera surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gunasekera 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
1997 modern 95 #27,638
1998 modern 100 #27,619
1999 modern 106 #26,885
2000 modern 95 #28,441
2001 modern 105 #26,620
2002 modern 107 #26,849
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 106 #27,045
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 117 #25,695
2007 modern 116 #26,209
2008 modern 121 #25,785
2009 modern 129 #25,314
2010 modern 134 #25,263
2011 modern 130 #25,547
2012 modern 128 #25,852
2013 modern 131 #25,932
2014 modern 124 #27,049
2015 modern 118 #27,833
2016 modern 117 #28,033

Geography

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Where Gunasekeras 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 Barnet, Camden, Brent, Hillingdon and North Hertfordshire. 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 Barnet 038 Barnet
2 Camden 006 Camden
3 Brent 018 Brent
4 Hillingdon 032 Hillingdon
5 North Hertfordshire 009 North Hertfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gunasekera

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Gunasekera surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Gunasekera household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Gunasekera is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gunasekera 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

Gunasekera 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 Gunasekera is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Gunasekera

The surname GUNASEKERA has its origins in Sri Lanka, with roots dating back to the medieval era. It is a combination of two words from the Sinhalese language – "Guna" meaning virtues or qualities, and "Sekera" meaning teacher or preacher. This suggests that the name was originally associated with individuals who possessed admirable traits and were responsible for imparting knowledge or spiritual guidance.

The earliest known records of the GUNASEKERA surname can be traced back to the 13th century, when it was documented in ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. These manuscripts were typically used to record genealogies, historical events, and literary works of that time. The name is believed to have been prevalent among the educated and scholarly class, particularly in the central and southern regions of Sri Lanka.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the GUNASEKERA name was Ven. Gunasekera Thero, a renowned Buddhist monk who lived in the 15th century. He was highly respected for his vast knowledge of Buddhist scriptures and his contributions to the preservation and propagation of the Theravada Buddhist tradition in Sri Lanka.

In the 16th century, the GUNASEKERA name gained prominence with the emergence of Don Juan Gunasekera, a prominent courtier and advisor to the Kandyan Kingdom. He played a crucial role in diplomatic affairs and is credited with negotiating treaties with the Portuguese and Dutch colonial powers.

During the 19th century, the GUNASEKERA family produced several notable scholars and intellectuals. One such figure was Mudaliyar Don Philip Gunasekera (1823-1891), a pioneering journalist and author who played a pivotal role in the development of Sinhalese literature and the promotion of education in Sri Lanka.

Another prominent individual was Don Charles Gunasekera (1848-1919), a revered lawyer and judge who served as the Solicitor General of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He was widely respected for his integrity and contributions to the legal system during the British colonial period.

In more recent times, Dr. Jayanthi Gunasekera (1939-2018) gained international recognition as a renowned Sri Lankan botanist and environmentalist. She made significant contributions to the study of plant biodiversity and played a pivotal role in establishing several nature reserves and conservation initiatives in Sri Lanka.

While the GUNASEKERA surname has its roots firmly embedded in Sri Lankan history and culture, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and connection to the island nation's rich heritage remain an integral part of its identity.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gunasekera surname: questions and answers

How common is the Gunasekera surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016. That gives Gunasekera a modern rank of #28,033.

What does the Gunasekera surname mean?

A Sinhalese surname meaning 'virtuous accomplishment' or 'virtuous leader'.

What does the Gunasekera map show?

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