NameCensus.

UK surname

Nanayakkara

A Sinhalese surname indicating the bearer was a leader or chief of military forces.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Enfield, Cambridge and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nanayakkara is 166 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

158

2016, ranked #22,904

Peak year

2012

166 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016, ranked #22,904.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Nanayakkara surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nanayakkara surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nanayakkara 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 62 #31,412
1998 modern 71 #30,869
1999 modern 71 #31,036
2000 modern 78 #30,361
2001 modern 77 #30,277
2002 modern 89 #29,428
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 110 #26,451
2005 modern 115 #25,702
2006 modern 117 #25,695
2007 modern 118 #25,913
2008 modern 129 #24,790
2009 modern 141 #23,907
2010 modern 156 #22,886
2011 modern 151 #23,204
2012 modern 166 #21,683
2013 modern 163 #22,342
2014 modern 163 #22,547
2015 modern 158 #22,913
2016 modern 158 #22,904

Geography

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Where Nanayakkaras 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 Enfield, Cambridge, Brent, Trafford and Rotherham. 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 Enfield 025 Enfield
2 Cambridge 011 Cambridge
3 Brent 024 Brent
4 Trafford 005 Trafford
5 Rotherham 023 Rotherham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nanayakkara

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

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

Nanayakkara 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

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

Meaning and origin of Nanayakkara

The surname NANAYAKKARA originated in Sri Lanka, tracing its roots back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Sinhalese words "nana," meaning "various" or "different," and "yakkara," referring to a type of chieftain or leader. This suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who held positions of authority over diverse groups or regions.

The earliest known record of the NANAYAKKARA surname can be found in the Culavamsa, a historical chronicle of Sri Lankan kings and their reigns. This ancient text mentions a prominent figure named Nanayakkara Mudiyanse, who served as a high-ranking official during the reign of King Parakramabahu II in the late 13th century.

Throughout the centuries, the NANAYAKKARA name has been associated with several notable individuals. One such person was Don Juan Nanayakkara, a 16th-century diplomat and translator who played a crucial role in facilitating communication between the Portuguese and the Kingdom of Kandy. His expertise in multiple languages and cultural understanding were instrumental in fostering diplomatic relations.

In the 18th century, a renowned scholar and poet named Nanayakkara Rala lived in the southern region of Sri Lanka. His literary works, written in the Sinhalese language, were widely acclaimed and contributed significantly to the preservation of the island's cultural heritage.

Another prominent figure bearing the NANAYAKKARA name was Don Philip Nanayakkara, a 19th-century lawyer and politician who advocated for social reforms and played a pivotal role in the fight for independence from British colonial rule. His contributions to the nation's political landscape were widely recognized and celebrated.

The NANAYAKKARA surname has also been linked to several place names within Sri Lanka. For instance, the village of Nanayakkarapura in the Kurunegala District is believed to have derived its name from the presence of NANAYAKKARA families in the area during ancient times.

As the NANAYAKKARA name spread across different regions of Sri Lanka, slight variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged. Some alternative spellings found in historical records include Nanaiyakkara, Nanayakkarawa, and Nanayakkara Mudiyanselage, reflecting the regional dialects and linguistic adaptations over time.

While the NANAYAKKARA surname has deep roots in Sri Lankan history, it has also gained recognition beyond the island's borders. Individuals bearing this name have contributed to various fields, including academia, the arts, and public service, further solidifying its legacy as a distinguished and culturally significant surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Nanayakkara surname: questions and answers

How common is the Nanayakkara surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016. That gives Nanayakkara a modern rank of #22,904.

What does the Nanayakkara surname mean?

A Sinhalese surname indicating the bearer was a leader or chief of military forces.

What does the Nanayakkara map show?

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