NameCensus.

UK surname

Karunaratne

A Sinhalese surname meaning "Lord of Compassion" or "Lord of Mercy".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Karunaratne is 174 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

165

2016, ranked #22,234

Peak year

2010

174 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016, ranked #22,234.
  • 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.

Karunaratne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Karunaratne surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Karunaratne 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 93 #27,932
1998 modern 98 #27,923
1999 modern 109 #26,439
2000 modern 109 #26,381
2001 modern 113 #25,489
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 127 #24,019
2004 modern 139 #22,891
2005 modern 131 #23,737
2006 modern 148 #22,111
2007 modern 159 #21,387
2008 modern 170 #20,672
2009 modern 170 #21,095
2010 modern 174 #21,259
2011 modern 169 #21,499
2012 modern 166 #21,683
2013 modern 172 #21,575
2014 modern 172 #21,731
2015 modern 169 #21,888
2016 modern 165 #22,234

Geography

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Where Karunaratnes 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 Enfield, Hounslow, Barnet, Croydon and Harrow. 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 Enfield 017 Enfield
2 Hounslow 015 Hounslow
3 Barnet 007 Barnet
4 Croydon 019 Croydon
5 Harrow 030 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Karunaratne

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

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

Karunaratne 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

Karunaratne falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Karunaratne

The surname Karunaratne originates from Sri Lanka. It is a Sinhalese name that traces its roots back to the medieval period, around the 13th to 15th centuries. The name Karunaratne is derived from two Sinhalese words, "Karuna" meaning compassion or kindness, and "Ratne" meaning gem or jewel. Thus, the name can be interpreted as "The Gem of Compassion" or "The Jewel of Kindness."

Historically, surnames in Sri Lanka were often given based on personal qualities, professions, or places of origin. The Karunaratne name likely emerged as a descriptive surname, reflecting the virtuous traits of compassion and kindness. It is possible that the name was initially bestowed upon an individual who exhibited these qualities in a remarkable way, and it then became hereditary within their family lineage.

One of the earliest known mentions of the Karunaratne name can be found in the Culavamsa, a historical chronicle that documents the royal dynasties of Sri Lanka from the 4th to the 18th century. The Culavamsa references a nobleman named Karunaratne who served as a minister during the reign of King Parakramabahu VI in the 15th century.

Another notable figure with the Karunaratne surname was Domingos Karunaratne, a Sinhalese philosopher and scholar who lived in the 17th century. He was known for his contributions to the field of Sinhalese literature and for his translations of Buddhist texts from Pali to Sinhalese.

In the 19th century, Sir John Maitland Karunaratne (1832-1911) was a prominent Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) lawyer and judge. He served as the Attorney General of Ceylon and later became a member of the Legislative Council.

Gajaman Nona Karunaratne (1850-1924) was a renowned Sinhalese novelist and poet during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works, such as "Kusalakaliya" and "Kuweni Asna," played a significant role in the revival of Sinhalese literature.

More recently, Dr. Udugama Sirisena Karunaratne (1912-1988) was a distinguished Sri Lankan botanist and academic. He made significant contributions to the study of plant taxonomy and served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Throughout its history, the Karunaratne surname has been associated with individuals who have made noteworthy contributions in various fields, reflecting the virtues of compassion and kindness that are embodied in the name's meaning.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Karunaratne surname: questions and answers

How common is the Karunaratne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016. That gives Karunaratne a modern rank of #22,234.

What does the Karunaratne surname mean?

A Sinhalese surname meaning "Lord of Compassion" or "Lord of Mercy".

What does the Karunaratne map show?

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