NameCensus.

UK surname

Kola

A surname of West African origin referring to a person from the Kola ethnic group.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolton, Kirklees and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kola is 436 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

436

2016, ranked #11,062

Peak year

2016

436 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 436 in 2016, ranked #11,062.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Kola surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kola surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kola 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 148 #21,295
1998 modern 147 #21,935
1999 modern 153 #21,551
2000 modern 163 #20,657
2001 modern 171 #19,770
2002 modern 193 #18,713
2003 modern 200 #18,139
2004 modern 212 #17,540
2005 modern 217 #17,217
2006 modern 272 #14,834
2007 modern 303 #13,965
2008 modern 326 #13,374
2009 modern 370 #12,416
2010 modern 385 #12,353
2011 modern 371 #12,546
2012 modern 389 #11,963
2013 modern 401 #11,890
2014 modern 420 #11,567
2015 modern 431 #11,206
2016 modern 436 #11,062

Geography

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Where Kolas 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 Bolton, Kirklees, Birmingham and Walsall. 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 Bolton 023 Bolton
2 Kirklees 013 Kirklees
3 Kirklees 024 Kirklees
4 Birmingham 035 Birmingham
5 Walsall 034 Walsall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kola

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

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Kola surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Kola household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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, Kola 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

Kola 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

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

Meaning and origin of Kola

The surname KOLA is believed to have originated from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the Hindi language. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kol', which means 'plough' or 'tiller of the soil'. This suggests that the name was initially associated with agricultural communities or those involved in farming activities.

The earliest known records of the name KOLA can be traced back to the 12th century in the region of present-day India. It is mentioned in several ancient manuscripts and inscriptions, indicating its long-standing presence in the region. Variations of the spelling, such as 'Kol' and 'Koal', were also prevalent during this time period.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname KOLA was Kola Sahib, a renowned warrior and military commander who lived in the 14th century. He served under the Delhi Sultanate and played a crucial role in several military campaigns. Another notable figure was Kola Devi, a skilled poet and scholar from the 16th century, renowned for her contributions to literature and the arts.

In the 17th century, the name KOLA gained prominence in the region of Bengal, where several families bore this surname. One such family was the Kola zamindars, who were influential landowners and patrons of the arts. Ramesh Chandra Kola, born in 1832, was a prominent member of this family and played a significant role in the socio-cultural affairs of the region.

As the Indian diaspora spread across the globe, the surname KOLA also found its way to different parts of the world. One notable individual was Ranjit Singh Kola, born in 1925, who was a prominent businessman and philanthropist in East Africa. He was widely respected for his contributions to the local community and his support for various charitable causes.

While the name KOLA has its roots in India, it has also been adopted by individuals from other cultural backgrounds, particularly those with ties to the Indian subcontinent or those who have migrated from the region. However, the surname remains most prevalent in India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kola surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kola surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 436 in 2016. That gives Kola a modern rank of #11,062.

What does the Kola surname mean?

A surname of West African origin referring to a person from the Kola ethnic group.

What does the Kola map show?

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