NameCensus.

UK surname

Jayawardena

A Sinhalese surname referring to one who has achieved and attained victory or prominence.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrow, Croydon and Waltham Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jayawardena is 147 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

2014

147 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Jayawardena surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jayawardena surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jayawardena 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 82 #29,325
1998 modern 84 #29,537
1999 modern 85 #29,578
2000 modern 84 #29,706
2001 modern 86 #29,281
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 105 #26,940
2004 modern 105 #27,181
2005 modern 109 #26,583
2006 modern 120 #25,269
2007 modern 114 #26,491
2008 modern 114 #26,796
2009 modern 130 #25,176
2010 modern 145 #24,031
2011 modern 135 #24,922
2012 modern 138 #24,614
2013 modern 146 #24,107
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 134 #25,607
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Jayawardenas 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 Harrow, Croydon, Waltham Forest, St Albans and Brent. 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 Harrow 015 Harrow
2 Croydon 009 Croydon
3 Waltham Forest 028 Waltham Forest
4 St Albans 018 St Albans
5 Brent 020 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jayawardena

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jayawardena

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

Jayawardena 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

Jayawardena falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jayawardena 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 Jayawardena, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Jayawardena

The surname JAYAWARDENA originates from Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia. It is a Sinhalese name that dates back several centuries. The name is believed to be derived from the Sinhalese words "jaya" meaning victory or triumph, and "wardena" meaning to increase or grow. Thus, the name JAYAWARDENA can be interpreted as "one who increases victory or triumph."

The earliest recorded instances of the name JAYAWARDENA can be found in ancient Sinhalese chronicles and inscriptions from the medieval period in Sri Lanka. These include references to individuals with this surname who held prominent positions in the royal courts and Buddhist monasteries of the time.

One notable historical figure bearing the name JAYAWARDENA was Don Philip JAYAWARDENA, a prominent Sri Lankan aristocrat and landowner who lived in the 18th century. He was a influential figure in the Kingdom of Kandy, the last independent monarchy in Sri Lanka before British colonization.

Another prominent individual with the surname JAYAWARDENA was Sir Ponnambalam JAYAWARDENA, a respected lawyer and statesman who played a key role in the Sri Lankan independence movement in the early 20th century. He was born in 1887 and served as a member of the State Council of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from 1924 to 1936.

In more recent history, J.R. JAYAWARDENA (1906-1996) was a renowned Sri Lankan historian and academic. He authored several influential works on the history and culture of Sri Lanka, including the seminal book "The Revolt in the Temple: The Disavowed Revisionists of Sri Lanka."

Sir Cyril JAYAWARDENA (1890-1957) was a distinguished Sri Lankan civil servant and diplomat. He served as the first Ceylonese Governor of the Central Bank of Ceylon and was also appointed as the first High Commissioner for Ceylon in London, representing Sri Lanka's interests in the United Kingdom.

Lastly, Lakshman JAYAWARDENA (1942-2020) was a prominent Sri Lankan businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Laksons Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Sri Lanka, and was known for his contributions to education and healthcare initiatives in the country.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the surname JAYAWARDENA throughout history, highlighting its deep roots and significance in Sri Lankan culture and society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Jayawardena surname: questions and answers

How common is the Jayawardena surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Jayawardena a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Jayawardena surname mean?

A Sinhalese surname referring to one who has achieved and attained victory or prominence.

What does the Jayawardena map show?

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