NameCensus.

UK surname

Kulesza

A Polish surname derived from the archaic word "kulesza" meaning a disabled person or one who limps.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Kulesza surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 232, ranked #17,694, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kingston upon Thames, Ealing and Kingston upon Hull.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kulesza is 232 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23100.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

232

2016, ranked #17,694

Peak year

2016

232 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kulesza had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 232 in 2016, ranked #17,694.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Kulesza surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kulesza surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kulesza 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 64 #31,233
1998 modern 65 #31,477
1999 modern 65 #31,605
2000 modern 56 #32,514
2001 modern 57 #32,275
2002 modern 54 #32,927
2003 modern 54 #32,990
2004 modern 66 #32,079
2005 modern 75 #31,400
2006 modern 96 #28,946
2007 modern 118 #25,913
2008 modern 128 #24,901
2009 modern 135 #24,594
2010 modern 154 #23,082
2011 modern 156 #22,690
2012 modern 175 #20,984
2013 modern 194 #19,932
2014 modern 209 #19,128
2015 modern 221 #18,289
2016 modern 232 #17,694

Geography

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Where Kuleszas 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 Kingston upon Thames, Ealing, Kingston upon Hull, Bath and North East Somerset and Peterborough. 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 Kingston upon Thames 005 Kingston upon Thames
2 Ealing 028 Ealing
3 Kingston upon Hull 017 Kingston upon Hull, City of
4 Bath and North East Somerset 011 Bath and North East Somerset
5 Peterborough 006 Peterborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kulesza

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kulesza

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Kulesza 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

Kulesza 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

Kulesza falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kulesza 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 Kulesza, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kulesza

The surname Kulesza originated in Poland during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Polish word "kulesz," which means "lame" or "limping." This suggests the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone with a limp or physical disability.

The earliest recorded instances of the Kulesza surname date back to the 15th century in historical records from central Poland, particularly the regions around Krakow and Lodz. The name is believed to have originated among the Polish nobility or landed gentry during this era.

In the 16th century, a notable figure with the Kulesza surname was Jan Kulesza, a Polish nobleman and military commander who fought in the Polish-Muscovite War of 1577–1582. He was born around 1540 and died in 1598.

Another prominent individual with the Kulesza name was Marcin Kulesza, a Polish Catholic priest and theologian who lived from 1623 to 1699. He was a professor at the University of Krakow and authored several influential works on theology and philosophy.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Kulesza surname appeared in various Polish historical records, including land deeds, tax rolls, and parish registers. Some variations in spelling, such as Kulesz or Kuleszka, were also documented during this period.

In the 19th century, a notable figure named Konstanty Kulesza (1808–1897) was a Polish writer, journalist, and political activist who advocated for Polish independence from Russian rule.

Another individual of note was Wladyslaw Kulesza (1865–1923), a Polish engineer and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the Polish mining and steel industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Throughout its history, the Kulesza surname has been associated with various place names and locations in Poland, including the village of Kulesza near Lodz and the town of Kuleszewo in the Masovian Voivodeship.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kulesza families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kulesza 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. Surrey leads with 1 Kuleszas recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.28x.

County Total Index
Surrey 1 21.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 1 Kuleszas recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.05x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 1 119.05x

FAQ

Kulesza surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kulesza surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Kulesza surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kulesza surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 232 in 2016. That gives Kulesza a modern rank of #17,694.

What does the Kulesza surname mean?

A Polish surname derived from the archaic word "kulesza" meaning a disabled person or one who limps.

What does the Kulesza map show?

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