NameCensus.

UK surname

Koca

An occupational surname derived from the Turkish word "koca," meaning "big" or "great."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Koca is 174 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

174

2016, ranked #21,466

Peak year

2016

174 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 174 in 2016, ranked #21,466.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Koca surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Koca surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Koca 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 19 #35,928
1998 modern 25 #35,365
1999 modern 25 #35,413
2000 modern 29 #34,976
2001 modern 34 #34,356
2002 modern 53 #33,021
2003 modern 67 #31,796
2004 modern 71 #31,578
2005 modern 81 #30,740
2006 modern 88 #30,160
2007 modern 102 #28,351
2008 modern 116 #26,510
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 148 #23,697
2011 modern 145 #23,837
2012 modern 138 #24,614
2013 modern 155 #23,108
2014 modern 164 #22,445
2015 modern 168 #21,971
2016 modern 174 #21,466

Geography

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Where Kocas 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 Greenwich, Haringey and Sevenoaks. 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 Greenwich 032 Greenwich
2 Haringey 013 Haringey
3 Sevenoaks 002 Sevenoaks
4 Haringey 012 Haringey
5 Haringey 036 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Koca

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Koca surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Koca 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Koca is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Koca 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

Koca falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Koca 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Koca

The surname KOCA has its origins in Turkey, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Turkish word "koca," which means "husband" or "old man." This suggests that the name may have originally been a descriptive term used to refer to elder members of a community or to married men.

During the Ottoman Empire period, the name KOCA was particularly prevalent in the regions of Anatolia and the Balkans. It can be found in various historical documents and records from that era, including tax registers and village census records.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name KOCA was Koca Hüsrev, a 13th-century Anatolian poet and mystic who was renowned for his lyrical works and spiritual writings. His birth and death dates are uncertain, but he is believed to have lived during the latter half of the 13th century.

Another notable figure was Koca Mustafa Pasha, an Ottoman statesman and military leader who served as the Grand Vizier (chief minister) under Sultan Murad IV in the 17th century. He played a significant role in the Ottoman-Safavid War and was instrumental in the capture of Baghdad in 1638.

In the 18th century, Koca Ragıp Pasha was a prominent Ottoman statesman and poet who held various high-ranking positions, including that of Grand Vizier. He was known for his contributions to Ottoman literature and his patronage of the arts.

During the 19th century, Koca Yusuf Pasha was an influential Ottoman statesman and military commander who served as the Grand Vizier under Sultan Abdülmecid I. He played a key role in the Tanzimat reforms, which aimed to modernize the Ottoman Empire.

In more recent history, Koca Sinan was a Turkish wrestler and actor who gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a champion in the traditional Turkish oil wrestling and also appeared in several Turkish films and television series.

While the surname KOCA has its roots in Turkey, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its historical significance and connections to the Ottoman Empire and Turkish culture remain deeply ingrained in its etymology and origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Koca surname: questions and answers

How common is the Koca surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 174 in 2016. That gives Koca a modern rank of #21,466.

What does the Koca surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Turkish word "koca," meaning "big" or "great."

What does the Koca map show?

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