NameCensus.

UK surname

Pekala

A Polish surname derived from the word "piekarz" meaning baker.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Cambridgeshire, Stroud and Cherwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pekala is 119 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

119

2016, ranked #27,704

Peak year

2015

119 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016, ranked #27,704.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities.

Pekala surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pekala surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pekala 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 16 #36,292
1998 modern 15 #36,457
1999 modern 14 #36,595
2000 modern 14 #36,522
2001 modern 14 #36,372
2002 modern 15 #36,381
2003 modern 15 #36,415
2004 modern 19 #36,147
2005 modern 22 #35,993
2006 modern 32 #35,392
2007 modern 55 #33,965
2008 modern 58 #33,918
2009 modern 67 #33,450
2010 modern 83 #32,396
2011 modern 86 #32,006
2012 modern 110 #28,514
2013 modern 110 #29,028
2014 modern 117 #28,109
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 119 #27,704

Geography

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Where Pekalas 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 East Cambridgeshire, Stroud, Cherwell and Bradford. 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 East Cambridgeshire 004 East Cambridgeshire
2 Stroud 014 Stroud
3 Cherwell 004 Cherwell
4 East Cambridgeshire 003 East Cambridgeshire
5 Bradford 015 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pekala

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Pekala, 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 Pekala surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Pekala 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Pekala 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

Pekala 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

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

Meaning and origin of Pekala

The surname Pekala has its origins in Poland, tracing back to the early medieval period around the 10th century. It is derived from the Polish word "piekarz," meaning "baker," suggesting that the name's earliest bearers were likely bakers or individuals involved in the baking trade.

In its earliest recorded forms, the name appeared as "Piekarz" or "Piekarski," with variations such as "Piekałka" and "Piekała" emerging over time. These spelling variations reflect regional dialects and the evolution of the Polish language.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the "Księga Henrykowska" (The Henryków Book), a medieval manuscript dating back to the late 13th century. This document contains records of land transactions and legal disputes, including mentions of individuals bearing the name Piekarz.

In the 15th century, the name Piekała appeared in various Polish historical records, such as the "Księgi Ziemskie" (Land Books) and "Księgi Grodzkie" (Court Books). These records provide valuable insights into the lives and activities of individuals with this surname during that period.

Notable bearers of the Pekala surname throughout history include:

1. Jan Piekała (c. 1540-1620), a renowned Polish baker and confectioner known for his innovative techniques and exceptional pastries. 2. Michał Piekała (1685-1758), a Polish noble and landowner who played a significant role in the development of his local community. 3. Katarzyna Piekała (1750-1820), a Polish writer and poet whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the struggles of everyday life. 4. Franciszek Piekała (1810-1892), a Polish entrepreneur and industrialist who established several successful businesses in the textile and manufacturing sectors. 5. Józef Piekała (1885-1963), a Polish military officer who served in both World War I and World War II, earning numerous honors for his bravery and leadership.

While the name Pekala has evolved over time, it has maintained a strong connection to its Polish roots and the baking tradition from which it originated. The surname's historical significance lies in its ability to trace the lives and contributions of individuals who played essential roles in shaping Polish culture, economy, and society throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Pekala surname: questions and answers

How common is the Pekala surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016. That gives Pekala a modern rank of #27,704.

What does the Pekala surname mean?

A Polish surname derived from the word "piekarz" meaning baker.

What does the Pekala map show?

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