NameCensus.

UK surname

Poli

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who raised or sold chickens.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Poli surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 214, ranked #18,740, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Peterborough, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Poli is 214 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7033.3%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

214

2016, ranked #18,740

Peak year

2016

214 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Poli had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 214 in 2016, ranked #18,740.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 28 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Poli surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Poli surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Poli 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 5 #33,418
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 11 #33,268
1901 historical 28 #30,951
1911 historical 23 #30,923
1997 modern 147 #21,393
1998 modern 172 #19,883
1999 modern 161 #20,868
2000 modern 155 #21,341
2001 modern 156 #20,974
2002 modern 169 #20,307
2003 modern 166 #20,320
2004 modern 165 #20,530
2005 modern 168 #20,227
2006 modern 181 #19,466
2007 modern 185 #19,402
2008 modern 192 #19,143
2009 modern 193 #19,463
2010 modern 209 #18,893
2011 modern 208 #18,783
2012 modern 208 #18,720
2013 modern 206 #19,153
2014 modern 203 #19,504
2015 modern 210 #18,958
2016 modern 214 #18,740

Geography

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Where Polis 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 Peterborough, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields, Shropshire, Enfield and Ayr North Harbour, Wallacetown and Newton South. 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 Peterborough 017 Peterborough
2 Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields South Ayrshire
3 Shropshire 024 Shropshire
4 Enfield 022 Enfield
5 Ayr North Harbour, Wallacetown and Newton South South Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Poli

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Poli

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Poli surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Poli 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Poli is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Poli 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

Poli falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Poli 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 Poli, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Poli

The surname POLI is of Italian origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Latin word "politus," which means "elegant" or "polished." It is believed to have originated as a descriptive surname for someone who was considered refined or well-mannered.

In the early days, the name POLI was primarily found in the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a document from the city of Florence, dated around the 13th century, where a certain Piero POLI was mentioned as a prominent merchant.

The POLI surname gained recognition in the 14th century when a member of the family, Giovanni POLI (1312-1389), became a renowned scholar and philosopher. He was known for his contributions to the study of logic and metaphysics, and his works were widely circulated across Europe during the Renaissance period.

Another notable figure with the POLI surname was Alessandro POLI (1689-1748), an Italian architect who designed several churches and palaces in Rome and the surrounding areas. His most famous work is the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, which is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

In the 19th century, the POLI name gained further prominence with the birth of Ettore POLI (1842-1923), an Italian mathematician and physicist. He made significant contributions to the field of electromagnetism and is best known for his work on the theory of electrical oscillations.

The surname POLI has also been associated with the arts, with the renowned Italian painter and sculptor Vincenzo POLI (1778-1835) being a prominent figure. His works were exhibited in various galleries across Europe and are now housed in prestigious museums around the world.

Throughout its history, the POLI surname has been found in various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, and Lombardy. It has also spread to other parts of the world due to Italian immigration, with individuals bearing the POLI name now residing in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Poli families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Poli 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 3 Polis recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.27x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 3 10.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clerkenwell London in Middlesex leads with 2 Polis recorded in 1881 and an index of 289.86x.

Place Total Index
Clerkenwell London 2 289.86x
St George Hanover 1 263.16x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Alexander 1
Enrico 1
John 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Poli households.

Occupation Count
Figure Maker 2
Waiter 1

FAQ

Poli surname: questions and answers

How common was the Poli surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Poli surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Poli surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 214 in 2016. That gives Poli a modern rank of #18,740.

What does the Poli surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who raised or sold chickens.

What does the Poli map show?

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