NameCensus.

UK surname

Polak

A surname indicating Polish origin or ethnicity, derived from the Polish endonym referring to a Pole.

In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Polak surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 579, ranked #8,957, up from #24,843 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Liverpool, Newark and Sherwood and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Polak is 579 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 833.9%.

1881 census count

62

Ranked #24,843

Modern count

579

2016, ranked #8,957

Peak year

2016

579 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Polak had 62 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,843 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 579 in 2016, ranked #8,957.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 86 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Polak surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Polak surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Polak 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
1851 historical 13 #30,970
1861 historical 28 #30,405
1881 historical 62 #24,843
1891 historical 76 #27,290
1901 historical 86 #24,508
1911 historical 70 #25,853
1997 modern 212 #16,996
1998 modern 222 #16,969
1999 modern 227 #16,834
2000 modern 213 #17,503
2001 modern 208 #17,513
2002 modern 219 #17,288
2003 modern 216 #17,229
2004 modern 243 #16,004
2005 modern 274 #14,663
2006 modern 300 #13,911
2007 modern 339 #12,896
2008 modern 384 #11,851
2009 modern 412 #11,461
2010 modern 463 #10,660
2011 modern 454 #10,707
2012 modern 511 #9,708
2013 modern 551 #9,320
2014 modern 556 #9,298
2015 modern 556 #9,221
2016 modern 579 #8,957

Geography

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Where Polaks 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 Liverpool, Newark and Sherwood, Peterborough, Gedling and Shropshire. 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 Liverpool 047 Liverpool
2 Newark and Sherwood 013 Newark and Sherwood
3 Peterborough 010 Peterborough
4 Gedling 002 Gedling
5 Shropshire 025 Shropshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Polak

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Polak

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Polak is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Polak 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

Polak falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Polak is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Polak

The surname Polak originates from Poland and is a Polish name derived from the word "Polak," which means "a Pole" or "a person from Poland." The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages when surnames began to be widely adopted across Europe.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Polak can be traced back to the 14th century in various Polish records and manuscripts. One notable mention is in the Księga Henrykowska (The Book of Henryków), a medieval Latin manuscript from the late 14th century, where the name "Polak" appears.

In the 15th century, the name Polak can be found in the Akta Grodzkie i Ziemskie (Acts of Territorial and Castle Courts), a collection of court records from various regions of Poland. These records often listed individuals by their surnames, providing valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of certain names during that period.

During the Renaissance period, the name Polak was associated with several notable figures, including Jan Polak (c. 1450-1519), a Polish mathematician and astronomer who worked at the University of Krakow and made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry.

Another historical figure bearing the surname Polak was Stanisław Polak (1539-1584), a Polish diplomat and writer who served as the secretary to King Stefan Batory and played a crucial role in the diplomatic relations between Poland and other European countries.

In the 17th century, the name Polak appeared in the records of the Potop Szwedzki (The Deluge), a series of invasions and wars that ravaged Poland between 1655 and 1660. One notable individual from this period was Jerzy Polak (c. 1620-1680), a Polish military commander who fought against the Swedish invaders during the Deluge.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Andrzej Polak (1720-1796), a Polish poet and playwright who was known for his satirical works and contributions to the development of Polish literature.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the name Polak gained further prominence with the birth of Kazimierz Polak (1859-1944), a renowned Polish painter and illustrator who was celebrated for his watercolor landscapes and depictions of rural life in Poland.

While the surname Polak is most commonly associated with Poland and its historical figures, it has also been adopted by individuals of Polish descent in various parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural influences of the Polish diaspora.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Polak families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Polak 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. Middlesex leads with 37 Polaks recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.12x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 37 6.12x
Kent 10 4.85x
Somerset 10 10.27x
Lincolnshire 4 4.14x
Essex 1 0.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitechapel London in Middlesex leads with 14 Polaks recorded in 1881 and an index of 234.90x.

Place Total Index
Whitechapel London 14 234.90x
Bedminster 10 109.29x
Spitalfields London 10 219.78x
Dover St Mary Virgin 8 400.00x
St Pancras London 7 14.38x
Great Grimsby 4 65.15x
Erith 2 98.52x
Shoreditch London 2 7.63x
St Marylebone London 2 6.19x
Mile End Old Town 1 10.47x
Paddington London 1 4.50x
Peldon 1 1111.11x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Polak surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Sarah 4
Esther 3
Eliza 2
Henrietta 2
Jane 2
Amelia 1
Betsy 1
Emelia 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Helena 1
Jeannette 1
Jennie 1
Kitty 1
Lidia 1
Louisa 1
Mary 1
Mitty 1
Philiqu'l 1
Rebecca 1
Rosa 1
Selinna 1
Susan 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Polak surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Joseph 4
Henry 3
Isaac 2
Louis 2
Aaron 1
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Barnett 1
Earnest 1
Emile 1
Jacob 1
James 1
Judah 1
Lewis 1
Marcus 1
Philips 1
Rudolf 1
Samuel 1
Solomon 1
William 1

FAQ

Polak surname: questions and answers

How common was the Polak surname in 1881?

In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Polak surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Polak surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 579 in 2016. That gives Polak a modern rank of #8,957.

What does the Polak surname mean?

A surname indicating Polish origin or ethnicity, derived from the Polish endonym referring to a Pole.

What does the Polak map show?

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