NameCensus.

UK surname

Laska

A surname of Polish origin meaning "forest" or "wooded area".

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Laska surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 116, ranked #28,197, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tamworth, Conwy and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Laska is 116 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5700.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

116

2016, ranked #28,197

Peak year

2016

116 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Laska had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 116 in 2016, ranked #28,197.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities.

Laska surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Laska surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Laska 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 11 #36,912
1998 modern 13 #36,679
1999 modern 13 #36,693
2000 modern 12 #36,749
2001 modern 10 #36,852
2002 modern 11 #36,780
2003 modern 11 #36,842
2004 modern 17 #36,342
2005 modern 24 #35,827
2006 modern 40 #34,854
2007 modern 55 #33,965
2008 modern 72 #32,656
2009 modern 66 #33,538
2010 modern 67 #33,713
2011 modern 69 #33,532
2012 modern 86 #32,297
2013 modern 95 #31,523
2014 modern 103 #30,539
2015 modern 103 #30,444
2016 modern 116 #28,197

Geography

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Where Laskas 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 Tamworth, Conwy, Manchester, York and Ayr South Harbour and Town Centre. 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 Tamworth 008 Tamworth
2 Conwy 001 Conwy
3 Manchester 042 Manchester
4 York 006 York
5 Ayr South Harbour and Town Centre South Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Laska

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Laska

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

Baseline UK

Group

Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities

Nationally, the Laska surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Laska household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Single-person households are common in these neighbourhoods, and these residents are typically divorced rather than never married. A high proportion of residents were born outside the UK in the EU. There are many young adults, some with young children, but relatively few residents are of normal retirement age or over. Although levels of identification with ethnic minorities are in line with the Supergroup average, individuals identifying with Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is more common than average. High long-term disability rates are observed, and unpaid care is more common than in the rest of the Group. The predominant housing types are terraced houses and flats, which are typically part of the social rented sector. This Group is commonly found in coastal areas and (present-day or former) industrial towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Laska 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

Laska is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Laska

The surname Laska has its origins in Poland, where it first emerged in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Polish word "laska," which means "staff" or "stick." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone who carried a staff or walking stick.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Laska can be found in a 14th-century document from the city of Krakow, where a certain Jan Laska was mentioned as a resident. This indicates that the name was already in use by that time.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Laska appeared in various regions of Poland, including the towns of Poznan and Gdansk. It was often associated with people of humble origins, such as peasants or artisans.

In the 19th century, a notable figure named Andrzej Laska (1809-1877) gained recognition as a Polish writer and poet. He was born in the village of Zytno and is remembered for his contributions to Polish literature.

Another individual of note was Wladyslaw Laska (1877-1942), a Polish military officer who served in World War I and later became a politician. He was actively involved in the struggle for Polish independence and held various governmental positions.

The name Laska can also be found in certain place names, such as the village of Laskowa in southern Poland. This village's name is believed to be derived from the same root as the surname, further indicating the connection between the name and the concept of a staff or stick.

In the early 20th century, a famous Polish actress named Jadwiga Laska (1890-1964) gained popularity for her performances on stage and in films. She was born in Warsaw and had a successful career spanning several decades.

Another notable figure was Zofia Laska (1915-2005), a Polish journalist and writer who was active during the communist era. She wrote extensively on social and political issues, contributing to various publications.

While the surname Laska is most commonly associated with Poland, it has also been found in other Slavic countries, such as Russia and Ukraine, where it may have been adopted by individuals with Polish ancestry or through migration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Laska families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Laska 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. Somerset leads with 2 Laskas recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.52x.

County Total Index
Somerset 2 64.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedminster in Somerset leads with 2 Laskas recorded in 1881 and an index of 689.66x.

Place Total Index
Bedminster 2 689.66x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Celia 1
Rose 1

FAQ

Laska surname: questions and answers

How common was the Laska surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Laska surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Laska surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 116 in 2016. That gives Laska a modern rank of #28,197.

What does the Laska surname mean?

A surname of Polish origin meaning "forest" or "wooded area".

What does the Laska map show?

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