NameCensus.

UK surname

Gunawardena

A Sinhalese surname referring to one who possesses virtuous qualities or strengths.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, Harrow and Blackford, West Mains and Mayfield Road.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gunawardena is 152 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

135

2016, ranked #25,505

Peak year

2010

152 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016, ranked #25,505.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Gunawardena surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gunawardena surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gunawardena 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 69 #30,712
1998 modern 80 #29,966
1999 modern 90 #29,056
2000 modern 89 #29,173
2001 modern 84 #29,508
2002 modern 88 #29,534
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 100 #27,964
2005 modern 108 #26,736
2006 modern 116 #25,813
2007 modern 128 #24,632
2008 modern 131 #24,583
2009 modern 146 #23,352
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 144 #23,962
2012 modern 133 #25,187
2013 modern 136 #25,252
2014 modern 139 #25,093
2015 modern 133 #25,729
2016 modern 135 #25,505

Geography

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Where Gunawardenas 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 Brent, Harrow, Blackford, West Mains and Mayfield Road and Enfield. 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 Brent 025 Brent
2 Harrow 010 Harrow
3 Blackford, West Mains and Mayfield Road City of Edinburgh
4 Enfield 020 Enfield
5 Harrow 031 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gunawardena

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gunawardena, 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 Gunawardena surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Gunawardena 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, Gunawardena 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

Gunawardena 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

Gunawardena 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 Gunawardena 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 Gunawardena, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gunawardena

The surname Gunawardena is of Sri Lankan origin, with its roots dating back to the ancient Sinhalese language spoken on the island nation. The name is believed to have been derived from the Sinhalese words "Guna," meaning virtue or quality, and "Wardena," meaning growth or development. Thus, the name Gunawardena can be interpreted as "one who possesses virtuous qualities and growth."

The earliest recorded instances of the name Gunawardena can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was primarily used by members of the Sinhalese aristocracy and landed gentry. During this period, Sri Lanka was known as the Kingdom of Kandy, and many records from that era mention individuals bearing the Gunawardena surname.

One notable example is Don Juan Gunawardena, a prominent courtier and diplomat who served under the Kandyan kings in the late 17th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and maintaining diplomatic relations with European powers, such as the Dutch East India Company.

In the 19th century, the Gunawardena name gained further prominence with the birth of Charles Edward Gunawardena (1825-1899), a pioneering Ceylonese lawyer and statesman. He was among the first Sri Lankans to be admitted to the bar and was instrumental in promoting the rights and interests of the local population during British colonial rule.

Another distinguished figure was Sir Robert Gunawardena (1889-1970), a respected politician and diplomat who served as the first Ceylonese Ambassador to China and later as the High Commissioner to India. He played a pivotal role in strengthening diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and its neighboring countries.

The name Gunawardena has also been associated with literary and artistic circles. One notable bearer was Martin Gunawardena (1934-2009), a renowned Sri Lankan artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited worldwide. His sculptures and paintings often explored themes of Sri Lankan culture and identity.

In the field of science, Dr. Kamini Gunawardena (1930-2021) was a pioneering Sri Lankan biochemist and academic. She made significant contributions to the study of natural products and their potential medicinal applications, earning international recognition for her research.

While the Gunawardena surname has its origins in Sri Lanka, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical roots remain deeply entrenched in the rich cultural heritage of the Sinhalese people and their ancestral homeland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gunawardena surname: questions and answers

How common is the Gunawardena surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016. That gives Gunawardena a modern rank of #25,505.

What does the Gunawardena surname mean?

A Sinhalese surname referring to one who possesses virtuous qualities or strengths.

What does the Gunawardena map show?

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