NameCensus.

UK surname

Pelka

A surname derived from a nickname meaning "auburn-haired" or "reddish-brown."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East, Scarborough and Seaboard.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pelka is 107 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

107

2016, ranked #29,762

Peak year

2016

107 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 107 in 2016, ranked #29,762.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Pelka surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pelka surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pelka 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
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1997 modern 24 #35,376
1998 modern 28 #35,053
1999 modern 29 #35,031
2000 modern 28 #35,080
2001 modern 27 #35,041
2002 modern 27 #35,243
2003 modern 26 #35,371
2004 modern 31 #35,105
2005 modern 36 #34,894
2006 modern 46 #34,415
2007 modern 53 #34,115
2008 modern 53 #34,315
2009 modern 66 #33,538
2010 modern 77 #32,927
2011 modern 78 #32,819
2012 modern 91 #31,659
2013 modern 93 #31,785
2014 modern 98 #31,370
2015 modern 101 #30,816
2016 modern 107 #29,762

Geography

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Where Pelkas 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 Cheshire East, Scarborough, Seaboard, Boston and Nuneaton and Bedworth. 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 Cheshire East 021 Cheshire East
2 Scarborough 006 Scarborough
3 Seaboard Highland
4 Boston 004 Boston
5 Nuneaton and Bedworth 010 Nuneaton and Bedworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pelka

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pelka

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Pelka surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Pelka 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Pelka is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pelka 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

Pelka 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 Pelka is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Pelka

The surname PELKA is of Polish origin and can be traced back to the 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the Polish word "pelka," which means "disc" or "round object." This name was likely given to someone who worked with or produced round objects, such as wheels or discs.

The earliest recorded instances of the PELKA surname can be found in historical documents from the Krakow region of Poland. In 1387, a record mentions a certain Mikołaj PELKA, who was a landowner in the village of Szreniawa near Krakow. Another early mention is from 1412, where a Bartłomiej PELKA is listed as a merchant in the city of Krakow.

During the 15th century, the PELKA name spread to other parts of Poland, including the regions of Silesia and Greater Poland. In 1457, a Jakub PELKA is recorded as a blacksmith in the town of Opole, in Silesia. Around 1480, a Marcin PELKA is mentioned as a miller in the town of Poznań, in Greater Poland.

One notable bearer of the PELKA surname was Jan PELKA (1624-1687), a Polish Baroque sculptor and woodcarver. He was born in Krakow and is best known for his intricate altarpieces and religious sculptures found in churches across Poland.

Another significant figure with this surname was Piotr PELKA (1775-1846), a Polish military officer and general who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. He rose through the ranks of the Polish legions and played a crucial role in the Battle of Racławice in 1794, which helped secure Poland's independence for a brief period.

In the 19th century, the PELKA surname spread further across Europe as many Polish families emigrated to other countries. One notable bearer was Władysław PELKA (1856-1924), a Polish-American inventor and engineer. He is credited with developing an early version of the washing machine and other household appliances.

Another important figure was Karol PELKA (1897-1968), a Polish-American artist and painter known for his realistic depictions of industrial scenes and working-class life in the United States. His works are featured in numerous museums and galleries across the country.

Throughout its history, the PELKA surname has maintained its Polish roots and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, merchants, artisans, military officers, inventors, and artists.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Pelka surname: questions and answers

How common is the Pelka surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 107 in 2016. That gives Pelka a modern rank of #29,762.

What does the Pelka surname mean?

A surname derived from a nickname meaning "auburn-haired" or "reddish-brown."

What does the Pelka map show?

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