NameCensus.

UK surname

Koller

Derived from the German word "kohler," referring to someone who burns charcoal or works with coal.

In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Koller surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 163, ranked #22,407, up from #29,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lancaster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Koller is 163 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 503.7%.

1881 census count

27

Ranked #29,793

Modern count

163

2016, ranked #22,407

Peak year

2014

163 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Koller had 27 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 163 in 2016, ranked #22,407.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 71 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Koller surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Koller surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Koller 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 14 #32,072
1881 historical 27 #29,793
1891 historical 35 #31,540
1901 historical 50 #28,590
1911 historical 71 #25,742
1997 modern 104 #26,351
1998 modern 126 #24,094
1999 modern 132 #23,602
2000 modern 126 #24,220
2001 modern 124 #24,114
2002 modern 133 #23,585
2003 modern 134 #23,260
2004 modern 143 #22,471
2005 modern 136 #23,205
2006 modern 135 #23,486
2007 modern 136 #23,708
2008 modern 139 #23,635
2009 modern 142 #23,791
2010 modern 144 #24,147
2011 modern 131 #25,430
2012 modern 135 #24,952
2013 modern 148 #23,884
2014 modern 163 #22,547
2015 modern 157 #22,997
2016 modern 163 #22,407

Geography

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Where Kollers 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 Lancaster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Tower Hamlets and Cheshire West and Chester. 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 Lancaster 002 Lancaster
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 017 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Kensington and Chelsea 013 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Tower Hamlets 007 Tower Hamlets
5 Cheshire West and Chester 035 Cheshire West and Chester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Koller

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Koller

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Koller, 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 Koller surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Koller 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Koller is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Koller 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

Koller falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Koller 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Koller

The surname Koller originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe, specifically in Germany and Austria. It is believed to have derived from the Middle High German word "koler," meaning "charcoal burner" or "maker of charcoal." This occupation-based surname likely emerged in the 13th or 14th century when hereditary surnames became more common.

The earliest recorded instances of the Koller name can be traced back to medieval German documents. For example, a Hainrich Koler was mentioned in the records of the city of Esslingen, Germany, in 1295. Additionally, a Johannes Koller was documented in the town of Würzburg, Germany, in 1323.

In the 15th century, the Koller name appeared in several historical records, including the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of documents related to the history of Saxony. One notable individual from this time was Hans Koller, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Nuremberg, who lived from around 1420 to 1485.

As the Koller family spread throughout German-speaking regions, variations in spelling emerged, such as Kohler, Köhler, and Koehler. These variations often reflected regional dialects and local pronunciation preferences.

In the 16th century, the Koller name gained prominence with individuals like Johann Koller (1486-1552), a German Renaissance humanist and professor at the University of Ingolstadt. Another notable figure was Christoph Koller (1564-1639), a German composer and organist who served at the court of the Dukes of Württemberg.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, several Kollers made their mark in various fields. For instance, Franz Koller (1646-1712) was an Austrian Baroque painter known for his religious works. Johann Koller (1678-1741) was a German mathematician and astronomer who contributed to the development of calculus and celestial mechanics.

In the 19th century, the Koller name continued to be associated with distinguished individuals. One prominent example is Ferdinand Koller (1842-1904), an Austrian painter and pioneer of the Stimmungsimpressionismus (Mood Impressionism) movement in art.

Throughout history, the Koller surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, musicians, and professionals in various fields, reflecting the diverse contributions of this family name to the cultural and intellectual landscapes of German-speaking regions and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Koller families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Koller 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 13 Kollers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.94x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 13 4.94x
Surrey 8 6.24x
Lancashire 5 1.60x
Gloucestershire 1 1.94x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fulham London in Middlesex leads with 5 Kollers recorded in 1881 and an index of 130.89x.

Place Total Index
Fulham London 5 130.89x
Lambeth 5 21.79x
Litherland 5 769.23x
Islington London 3 11.76x
Newington 3 30.86x
St Anne Soho London 2 133.33x
Bristol St George 1 41.84x
Bromley London 1 17.27x
Hampstead London 1 24.39x
St Martin Ludgate London 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 3
Sarah 2
Dora 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Francis 1
Isabel 1
Jessie 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
Joseph 2
Charles 1
Conrad 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
George 1
Hery 1
Mortimer 1
Oscar 1
Richard 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 Koller households.

FAQ

Koller surname: questions and answers

How common was the Koller surname in 1881?

In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Koller surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Koller surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 163 in 2016. That gives Koller a modern rank of #22,407.

What does the Koller surname mean?

Derived from the German word "kohler," referring to someone who burns charcoal or works with coal.

What does the Koller map show?

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