NameCensus.

UK surname

Kos

A surname suggesting the bearer originated from the Greek island of Kos.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kos is 193 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

193

2016, ranked #20,039

Peak year

2015

193 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016, ranked #20,039.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Kos surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kos surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Kos 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 66 #31,038
1998 modern 70 #30,968
1999 modern 73 #30,856
2000 modern 74 #30,785
2001 modern 80 #29,945
2002 modern 78 #30,601
2003 modern 77 #30,762
2004 modern 73 #31,403
2005 modern 94 #28,973
2006 modern 116 #25,813
2007 modern 131 #24,282
2008 modern 149 #22,530
2009 modern 160 #21,978
2010 modern 166 #21,941
2011 modern 151 #23,204
2012 modern 186 #20,141
2013 modern 178 #21,108
2014 modern 190 #20,374
2015 modern 193 #20,056
2016 modern 193 #20,039

Geography

Back to top

Where Kos' 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 Chorley, Ealing, Bolton and Barnet. 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 Chorley 008 Chorley
2 Ealing 025 Ealing
3 Bolton 026 Bolton
4 Barnet 012 Barnet
5 Bolton 030 Bolton

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Kos

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Kos

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

Kos 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

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

Meaning and origin of Kos

The surname "KOS" is of Polish origin, and it can be traced back to the 14th century. The name is derived from the Polish word "kos," which means "blackbird." It is believed that the name was originally given as a nickname to someone who had dark hair or a dark complexion, resembling the appearance of a blackbird.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "KOS" can be found in the Tarnów Land Records, dated around 1389. This document mentions a man named Jakub Kos, who was a landowner in the area.

In the 15th century, the name "KOS" appeared in the Nieszawa Land Records, which mentioned a man named Jan Kos, who was a farmer in the region.

The Domesday Book, a historic manuscript compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror, does not include any references to the surname "KOS," as it primarily focused on landowners in England at the time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the surname "KOS." One of the earliest was Jan Kos (1460-1532), a Polish theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the spread of Protestantism in Poland.

Another prominent figure was Andrzej Kos (1570-1639), a Polish military commander who served in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and gained recognition for his leadership during the Polish-Swedish War.

In the 19th century, Władysław Kos (1832-1914) was a renowned Polish architect and urban planner. He designed several notable buildings in Warsaw, including the Warsaw Philharmonic and the Resursa Obywatelska building.

Stanisław Kos (1893-1944) was a Polish military officer and member of the Polish Underground State during World War II. He played a crucial role in the Polish resistance movement against the German occupation.

More recently, Józef Kos (1925-2005) was a Polish boxer who won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.

While the surname "KOS" has its origins in Poland, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and intermarriage. However, its roots and historical significance remain deeply connected to Polish culture and history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kos surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kos surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016. That gives Kos a modern rank of #20,039.

What does the Kos surname mean?

A surname suggesting the bearer originated from the Greek island of Kos.

What does the Kos map show?

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