NameCensus.

UK surname

Polland

A surname derived from the Polish place name, referring to one's geographic origin.

In the 1881 census there were 113 people recorded with the Polland surname, ranking it #18,412 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 202, ranked #19,475, down from #18,412 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Glasgow and Bradford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Easterhouse East, Braidfauld and Bathgate West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Polland is 887 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 78.8%.

1881 census count

113

Ranked #18,412

Modern count

202

2016, ranked #19,475

Peak year

1911

887 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Polland had 113 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,412 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 202 in 2016, ranked #19,475.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 887 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Polland surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Polland surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Polland 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 403 #6,004
1861 historical 824 #3,344
1881 historical 113 #18,412
1891 historical 879 #4,683
1901 historical 218 #14,332
1911 historical 887 #5,020
1997 modern 274 #14,374
1998 modern 267 #15,016
1999 modern 248 #15,884
2000 modern 233 #16,524
2001 modern 199 #17,996
2002 modern 206 #17,966
2003 modern 188 #18,810
2004 modern 186 #19,059
2005 modern 192 #18,640
2006 modern 186 #19,140
2007 modern 187 #19,271
2008 modern 190 #19,246
2009 modern 204 #18,779
2010 modern 201 #19,387
2011 modern 193 #19,729
2012 modern 190 #19,864
2013 modern 193 #19,997
2014 modern 201 #19,641
2015 modern 205 #19,269
2016 modern 202 #19,475

Geography

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Where Pollands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Glasgow, Bradford and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Easterhouse East, Braidfauld, Bathgate West, Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central and Barrow-in-Furness. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Glasgow Lanark
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Easterhouse East Glasgow City
2 Braidfauld Glasgow City
3 Bathgate West West Lothian
4 Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central Inverclyde
5 Barrow-in-Furness 002 Barrow-in-Furness

Forenames

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First names often paired with Polland

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Polland

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Polland surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Polland household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Polland 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

Polland is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Polland 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 Polland is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Polland

The surname Polland originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, which lasted from the 5th to the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "pol" and "land," meaning "pool" and "land" respectively. This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a pool or body of water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Polland can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive record of landowners and their properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Pollande" and "Pollund," reflecting the linguistic evolution of the time.

During the Middle Ages, the Polland family was known to reside in the county of Gloucestershire, particularly in the village of Poole. This connection to a place name further reinforces the theory of the name's geographic origins.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named John Polland (c. 1310-1380) was a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in the county of Somerset. He was recognized for his contributions to the local community and his involvement in various legal disputes over land ownership.

Another prominent individual with the surname Polland was Sir Thomas Polland (1460-1522), who served as a member of the English Parliament and held the position of Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1515. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his influential role in the region.

During the 16th century, the Polland family gained further prominence with the birth of William Polland (1520-1587), a renowned scholar and clergyman. He studied at the University of Oxford and went on to become the Dean of Worcester Cathedral, contributing significantly to the religious and academic spheres of his time.

In the 18th century, the name Polland was associated with a notable figure named Edward Polland (1720-1795), who was a successful merchant and philanthropist in the city of Bristol. He was widely respected for his business acumen and his contributions to charitable causes, particularly in supporting educational institutions.

Throughout history, the Polland surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, politicians, scholars, and businessmen. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, its roots can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, reflecting the rich tapestry of English history and the enduring legacy of place names and geographical features.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Polland families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Polland 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. Lanarkshire leads with 27 Pollands recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.57x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 27 7.57x
Ayrshire 11 13.33x
Derbyshire 9 5.22x
Devon 9 3.92x
West Lothian 9 54.22x
Wigtownshire 8 54.64x
Yorkshire 6 0.55x
Angus 4 3.92x
Lancashire 4 0.31x
Middlesex 4 0.36x
Stirlingshire 4 9.84x
Sussex 4 2.15x
Northumberland 3 1.83x
Somerset 2 1.13x
Cumberland 1 1.05x
Hampshire 1 0.44x
Kent 1 0.27x
Midlothian 1 0.68x
Norfolk 1 0.59x
Northamptonshire 1 0.96x
Perthshire 1 2.02x
Staffordshire 1 0.27x
Surrey 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 9 Pollands recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.22x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 9 14.22x
Hayfield 8 754.72x
Leswalt 8 800.00x
Whitburn 8 333.33x
Old Monkland 7 49.47x
Wolborough 7 241.38x
Swinefleet 6 1276.60x
Ayr 4 102.83x
Barony 4 4.43x
Dundee 4 10.49x
Shotts 4 93.68x
Irvine 3 131.00x
New Monkland 3 28.46x
Ogle 3 7500.00x
Preston 3 92.31x
Stirling 3 58.48x
Bath St James 2 108.11x
Dalry 2 51.55x
Everton 2 4.80x
Aldershot 1 13.21x
Auckinleck 1 39.22x
Barnstaple 1 27.78x
Bathgate 1 27.78x
Canterbury St Mary 1 39.68x
Cleator 1 25.32x
Dalmellington 1 41.15x
Edinburgh St Georges 1 32.68x
Great Yarmouth 1 7.12x
Islington London 1 0.94x
Liverpool 1 1.26x
Manchester 1 1.70x
Mile End Old Town 1 5.75x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 18.98x
Offcote Underwood 1 555.56x
Paddington London 1 2.47x
Perth East Church 1 21.46x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 5.66x
St Ninians 1 24.81x
St Pancras London 1 1.13x
Streatham 1 12.22x
Subdeanery 1 70.92x
Wednesbury 1 10.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 3
Elizabeth 3
Mary 3
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Fanny 2
Isabella 2
Sarah 2
Alice 1
Elinor 1
Emily 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Nellie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 5
George 4
Thomas 3
James 2
Alfred 1
Fredrick 1
Henry 1
Lonsdale 1
Newton 1
Owen 1
R. 1
Reuben 1
Walter 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 Polland households.

FAQ

Polland surname: questions and answers

How common was the Polland surname in 1881?

In 1881, 113 people were recorded with the Polland surname. That placed it at #18,412 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Polland surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 202 in 2016. That gives Polland a modern rank of #19,475.

What does the Polland surname mean?

A surname derived from the Polish place name, referring to one's geographic origin.

What does the Polland map show?

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