NameCensus.

UK surname

Ptak

A Polish surname meaning "bird".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bridge of Earn and Abernethy, Stoke-on-Trent and Rushcliffe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ptak is 226 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

226

2016, ranked #18,044

Peak year

2016

226 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 226 in 2016, ranked #18,044.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Ptak surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ptak surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ptak 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 54 #32,210
1998 modern 59 #32,027
1999 modern 61 #31,971
2000 modern 63 #31,829
2001 modern 60 #31,985
2002 modern 64 #32,007
2003 modern 61 #32,352
2004 modern 77 #31,024
2005 modern 88 #29,831
2006 modern 117 #25,695
2007 modern 137 #23,590
2008 modern 152 #22,225
2009 modern 153 #22,611
2010 modern 164 #22,109
2011 modern 169 #21,499
2012 modern 208 #18,720
2013 modern 207 #19,093
2014 modern 223 #18,279
2015 modern 225 #18,050
2016 modern 226 #18,044

Geography

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Where Ptaks 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 Bridge of Earn and Abernethy, Stoke-on-Trent, Rushcliffe, Bedford and Richmondshire. 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 Bridge of Earn and Abernethy Perth and Kinross
2 Stoke-on-Trent 025 Stoke-on-Trent
3 Rushcliffe 007 Rushcliffe
4 Bedford 013 Bedford
5 Richmondshire 003 Richmondshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ptak

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ptak

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Ptak is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Ptak is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Ptak

The surname Ptak has its origins in Poland, tracing back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Polish word "ptak," which means "bird." The name likely originated as a nickname or a descriptive term for someone who exhibited bird-like characteristics or had a particular affinity for birds.

In medieval Poland, the use of surnames emerged as a way to distinguish individuals and families. Ptak was one of the early surnames adopted, possibly referring to a person's occupation, such as a bird catcher or someone who worked with birds in some capacity.

Some of the earliest records of the Ptak name can be found in historical documents from the regions of Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) and Silesia (Śląsk). The name appears in various old records, including parish registers and land ownership documents from the 15th and 16th centuries.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the Ptak surname was Jan Ptak, a landowner and prominent figure in the town of Poznań in the mid-15th century. His name is mentioned in several legal documents and municipal records from that time.

Another notable figure was Maciej Ptak, a prominent merchant and trader who lived in Kraków during the late 16th century. He was involved in the lucrative trade of spices and textiles between Poland and the Ottoman Empire.

In the 17th century, the Ptak name gained prominence in the region of Masovia (Mazowsze), where several members of the family held positions of influence within the local nobility and clergy. Tomasz Ptak, born in 1625, was a respected priest and scholar who authored several theological works.

The 18th century saw the rise of Jakub Ptak, a renowned military commander who fought in the struggles against the partitions of Poland. He was recognized for his bravery and strategic skills on the battlefield.

As the Ptak surname spread across Poland, it also found its way into neighboring countries, such as Lithuania and Ukraine, where it was adopted by families of Polish descent.

Throughout history, the Ptak name has been associated with various occupations, from farmers and tradesmen to artists and intellectuals. While the name may have originated as a descriptive term, it has since become a proud part of Polish heritage and identity.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ptak surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ptak surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 226 in 2016. That gives Ptak a modern rank of #18,044.

What does the Ptak surname mean?

A Polish surname meaning "bird".

What does the Ptak map show?

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