NameCensus.

UK surname

Ostrowski

Derived from a place name meaning "sharp island" in Polish, likely referring to a family's place of origin.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Ostrowski surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 473, ranked #10,409, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bromley, Coventry and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ostrowski is 473 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23550.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

473

2016, ranked #10,409

Peak year

2016

473 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ostrowski had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 473 in 2016, ranked #10,409.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Ostrowski surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ostrowski surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ostrowski 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 2 #33,721
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 189 #18,267
1998 modern 190 #18,687
1999 modern 200 #18,237
2000 modern 200 #18,209
2001 modern 191 #18,453
2002 modern 191 #18,817
2003 modern 187 #18,856
2004 modern 199 #18,260
2005 modern 232 #16,480
2006 modern 263 #15,215
2007 modern 315 #13,593
2008 modern 342 #12,933
2009 modern 359 #12,714
2010 modern 395 #12,105
2011 modern 395 #11,966
2012 modern 397 #11,780
2013 modern 418 #11,533
2014 modern 442 #11,057
2015 modern 453 #10,769
2016 modern 473 #10,409

Geography

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Where Ostrowskis 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 Bromley, Coventry, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Wandsworth. 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 Bromley 007 Bromley
2 Coventry 017 Coventry
3 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 017 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4 Coventry 027 Coventry
5 Wandsworth 029 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ostrowski

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

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

Ostrowski 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ostrowski

The surname Ostrowski is of Polish origin, originating from the region of Wielkopolska in western Poland. It is a toponymic surname, derived from the place name "Ostrów," which means "island" or "marsh" in Polish.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Ostrowski can be traced back to the 14th century, when it appeared in various Polish records and documents. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Jan Ostrowski, a Polish nobleman who lived in the late 14th century and served as a courtier to King Władysław II Jagiełło.

In the 16th century, the Ostrowski family gained prominence in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, with several members holding important positions in the government and military. One notable figure was Jakub Ostrowski (1510-1568), a Polish diplomat and military commander who served as the Castellan of Sandomierz.

During the 17th century, the Ostrowski surname became associated with several prominent Polish writers and intellectuals. One of the most famous was Jan Andrzej Ostrowski (1610-1684), a Polish poet and philosopher who was a member of the prestigious Polish Brethren, a Protestant group that advocated for religious tolerance.

Another notable bearer of the Ostrowski surname was Tomasz Ostrowski (1735-1817), a Polish nobleman and military officer who played a significant role in the Kościuszko Uprising against Russian rule in the late 18th century.

In the 19th century, the Ostrowski family continued to produce notable figures, including Józef Ostrowski (1850-1923), a Polish painter and art critic who was a prominent figure in the Young Poland movement, a group of artists and writers who sought to revive Polish culture and identity.

Throughout its history, the Ostrowski surname has been associated with various place names and older spellings, such as Ostrowsky, Ostrovskii, and Ostrovskiy, reflecting the diverse regions and ethnicities within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and later the Russian Empire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ostrowski families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ostrowski 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. Angus leads with 2 Ostrowskis recorded in 1881 and an index of 111.73x.

County Total Index
Angus 2 111.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liff Benvie in Angus leads with 2 Ostrowskis recorded in 1881 and an index of 740.74x.

Place Total Index
Liff Benvie 2 740.74x

FAQ

Ostrowski surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ostrowski surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Ostrowski surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 473 in 2016. That gives Ostrowski a modern rank of #10,409.

What does the Ostrowski surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "sharp island" in Polish, likely referring to a family's place of origin.

What does the Ostrowski map show?

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