NameCensus.

UK surname

Kulkarni

A Marathi surname indicating the descendants of people from the Kulkarni village or those who managed land records and accounts.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kulkarni is 604 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

573

2016, ranked #9,014

Peak year

2014

604 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 573 in 2016, ranked #9,014.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kulkarni surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kulkarni surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kulkarni 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 140 #22,031
1998 modern 174 #19,729
1999 modern 196 #18,464
2000 modern 178 #19,570
2001 modern 174 #19,562
2002 modern 234 #16,543
2003 modern 246 #15,769
2004 modern 262 #15,233
2005 modern 279 #14,480
2006 modern 351 #12,420
2007 modern 401 #11,353
2008 modern 426 #10,911
2009 modern 463 #10,428
2010 modern 510 #9,899
2011 modern 504 #9,895
2012 modern 580 #8,813
2013 modern 593 #8,818
2014 modern 604 #8,761
2015 modern 581 #8,944
2016 modern 573 #9,014

Geography

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Where Kulkarnis 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 Hounslow, Reading and Harrow. 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 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
2 Reading 011 Reading
3 Hounslow 017 Hounslow
4 Harrow 020 Harrow
5 Harrow 023 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kulkarni

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

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kulkarni 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

Kulkarni 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

Kulkarni falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kulkarni 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Kulkarni

The surname Kulkarni originated in India, specifically in the state of Maharashtra. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Kulak," which means an accountant or a village record keeper. The name's origins can be traced back to the 10th or 11th century CE.

Kulkarni is a common surname among the Marathi-speaking community in Maharashtra and the neighboring states of Karnataka and Goa. It is believed to have been associated with the Brahmin caste, who traditionally held administrative and scholarly positions in villages and towns.

One of the earliest known references to the name Kulkarni can be found in the Lekhapaddhati, an ancient Sanskrit text on accountancy and record-keeping. This text, written between the 12th and 14th centuries, mentions the role of Kulkarnis in maintaining village records and accounts.

In the 14th century, the Kulkarni family gained prominence during the reign of the Yadava dynasty, which ruled parts of present-day Maharashtra. Some historical records suggest that Kulkarnis served as scribes and accountants in the royal court.

Over the centuries, the Kulkarni surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest known is Vasudevāditya Kulkarni, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 16th century. His works, such as the Siddharamakavya and the Siddhantaratnakara, are still studied and revered in academic circles.

Another prominent figure was Malhar Ramrao Kulkarni (1855-1928), a social reformer and educationist who played a significant role in the establishment of the Fergusson College in Pune. He was also a advocate for women's education and worked towards eradicating social evils like child marriage.

In the field of literature, Govind Vinayak Kulkarni (1887-1939), better known as Govind Kaka, was a celebrated Marathi playwright and author. His famous works include "Sharda," "Sirawali," and "Shyamchi Aai," which explored social themes and human emotions.

The Kulkarni surname has also been associated with notable personalities in the field of music. Pandit Narayanrao Kulkarni (1865-1937) was a renowned Indian classical vocalist and music educator who contributed significantly to the Gwalior Gharana of Hindustani classical music.

In more recent times, Sukhatme Kulkarni (1907-1996) was a prominent Indian mathematician and statistician. He made significant contributions to the field of probability theory and was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kulkarni surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kulkarni surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 573 in 2016. That gives Kulkarni a modern rank of #9,014.

What does the Kulkarni surname mean?

A Marathi surname indicating the descendants of people from the Kulkarni village or those who managed land records and accounts.

What does the Kulkarni map show?

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