NameCensus.

UK surname

Kolb

A German occupational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked with a rounded hill or peak.

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Kolb surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 107, ranked #29,762, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bury, Reading and Castle Point.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kolb is 117 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 872.7%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

107

2016, ranked #29,762

Peak year

2000

117 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kolb had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 107 in 2016, ranked #29,762.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 43 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kolb surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kolb surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kolb 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
1851 historical 4 #32,658
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 42 #29,487
1911 historical 43 #28,581
1997 modern 93 #27,932
1998 modern 98 #27,923
1999 modern 111 #26,182
2000 modern 117 #25,324
2001 modern 105 #26,620
2002 modern 101 #27,766
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 99 #28,136
2005 modern 98 #28,325
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 100 #29,001
2009 modern 101 #29,445
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 103 #29,733
2013 modern 106 #29,740
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 107 #29,708
2016 modern 107 #29,762

Geography

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Where Kolbs 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 Bury, Reading, Castle Point, Wokingham and South Northamptonshire. 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 Bury 019 Bury
2 Reading 003 Reading
3 Castle Point 009 Castle Point
4 Wokingham 014 Wokingham
5 South Northamptonshire 001 South Northamptonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kolb

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Kolb surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kolb 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kolb is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kolb 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

Kolb falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kolb is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Kolb

The surname Kolb originated in Germany, and it can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the German word "Kolb," which means "calf" or "young ox." It is believed that the name was initially given as a nickname to someone who resembled a calf or had a connection to calves or cattle.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kolb can be found in various German documents and records from the 13th and 14th centuries. For instance, the name appears in the Codex Traditionum Westfalicarum, a collection of historical documents from the Westphalian region of Germany, dating back to the year 1300.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Kolb was Johannes Kolb, a German merchant who lived in the 15th century. He is mentioned in several historical records from the city of Nuremberg, where he conducted his business dealings.

In the 16th century, the name Kolb gained prominence with the birth of Kaspar Kolb, a German humanist and scholar who lived from 1534 to 1594. He was a renowned educator and writer, and his works on pedagogy and philosophy were widely read and influential during his time.

Another notable figure with the surname Kolb was Johann Kolb, a German artist who lived from 1597 to 1645. He was a talented engraver and etcher, and his works were highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts across Europe.

During the 17th century, the name Kolb appeared in various places throughout Germany, including the town of Kolbsheim in the Alsace region. This town's name is believed to be derived from the same root as the surname Kolb, further highlighting the connection between the name and the region.

In the 18th century, one of the most prominent figures with the surname Kolb was Johann Kaspar Kolb, a German naturalist and explorer who lived from 1714 to 1784. He traveled extensively in southern Africa and documented his observations and discoveries in his book, "The Present State of the Cape of Good Hope."

As the centuries passed, the surname Kolb continued to spread across Germany and other parts of Europe, with many individuals bearing this name making significant contributions to various fields, including science, literature, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kolb families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kolb surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 7 Kolbs recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.99x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 7 5.99x
Surrey 3 5.27x
Channel Islands 1 28.90x
Northamptonshire 1 9.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 4 Kolbs recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.51x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 4 42.51x
Camberwell 3 40.21x
Islington London 3 26.48x
St Saviour 1 526.32x
Wellingborough 1 181.82x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kolb surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Caroline 2
Anne 1
Louisa 1
Marie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kolb surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Adolphus 1
Frererick 1
George 1
Henry 1
Herman 1
William 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kolb households.

FAQ

Kolb surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kolb surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Kolb surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kolb surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 107 in 2016. That gives Kolb a modern rank of #29,762.

What does the Kolb surname mean?

A German occupational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked with a rounded hill or peak.

What does the Kolb map show?

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