NameCensus.

UK surname

Plewa

A surname potentially derived from the Polish word "plewa" meaning chaff or husk.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Coventry, Fyvie-Rothie and Slough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Plewa is 113 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

113

2016, ranked #28,691

Peak year

2016

113 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016, ranked #28,691.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Plewa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Plewa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Plewa 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 29 #34,795
1998 modern 30 #34,833
1999 modern 32 #34,717
2000 modern 30 #34,885
2001 modern 29 #34,839
2002 modern 28 #35,139
2003 modern 31 #34,957
2004 modern 43 #34,149
2005 modern 46 #34,081
2006 modern 65 #32,743
2007 modern 68 #32,760
2008 modern 76 #32,279
2009 modern 75 #32,733
2010 modern 79 #32,759
2011 modern 84 #32,237
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 105 #30,092
2016 modern 113 #28,691

Geography

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Where Plewas 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 Coventry, Fyvie-Rothie, Slough, Thanet and Ribble Valley. 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 Coventry 035 Coventry
2 Fyvie-Rothie Aberdeenshire
3 Slough 013 Slough
4 Thanet 012 Thanet
5 Ribble Valley 006 Ribble Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Plewa

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Plewa

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Plewa is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Plewa 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

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

Meaning and origin of Plewa

The surname PLEWA is of Polish origin, with its roots traced back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Polish word "plewa," which means "chaff" or "husk," suggesting a possible connection to agricultural or farming communities.

In its earliest recorded instances, the name appeared in various regions of Poland, particularly in the central and eastern parts of the country. It is believed to have originated as a descriptive surname, possibly referring to individuals who worked with grain or were involved in related occupations.

One of the earliest known references to the PLEWA surname can be found in the "Akta Grodzkie i Ziemskie" (Court and Land Records) of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, dating back to the 16th century. These records were a comprehensive collection of legal documents that captured various aspects of daily life, including transactions, property disputes, and personal accounts.

Among the notable individuals bearing the PLEWA surname throughout history are:

1. Jan PLEWA (1567-1632), a Polish nobleman and landowner from the Kalisz region, who played a significant role in local politics and administration.

2. Katarzyna PLEWA (1720-1789), a renowned herbalist and folk healer from the Lublin area, whose knowledge of traditional remedies was passed down through generations.

3. Stanisław PLEWA (1810-1872), a Polish artist known for his landscape paintings depicting the scenic beauty of the Tatra Mountains.

4. Józef PLEWA (1875-1949), a Polish educator and author who published several works on teaching methods and educational philosophy.

5. Maria PLEWA (1904-1988), a prominent figure in the Polish resistance movement during World War II, recognized for her bravery and dedication to the fight against Nazi occupation.

The PLEWA surname also has connections to various place names across Poland, such as the villages of Plewiska and Plewki, which may have influenced the surname's formation or provided a geographic context for some branches of the family.

While the PLEWA surname has its roots in Poland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, carried by individuals and families who immigrated or relocated over the centuries. However, the rich history and cultural significance of this surname remain deeply rooted in its Polish origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Plewa surname: questions and answers

How common is the Plewa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016. That gives Plewa a modern rank of #28,691.

What does the Plewa surname mean?

A surname potentially derived from the Polish word "plewa" meaning chaff or husk.

What does the Plewa map show?

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