NameCensus.

UK surname

Rutkowski

A Polish habitational surname derived from place names meaning "son of Rutka" or "descendant of Rutka."

In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Rutkowski surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 367, ranked #12,669, up from #31,761 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, Hillingdon and Braintree.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rutkowski is 367 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2723.1%.

1881 census count

13

Ranked #31,761

Modern count

367

2016, ranked #12,669

Peak year

2016

367 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rutkowski had 13 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,761 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 367 in 2016, ranked #12,669.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 17 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Rutkowski surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rutkowski surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rutkowski 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 1 #33,412
1881 historical 13 #31,761
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 17 #32,146
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 84 #29,106
1998 modern 83 #29,638
1999 modern 81 #30,037
2000 modern 78 #30,361
2001 modern 73 #30,699
2002 modern 82 #30,181
2003 modern 87 #29,615
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 129 #23,963
2006 modern 173 #19,995
2007 modern 202 #18,359
2008 modern 237 #16,688
2009 modern 269 #15,589
2010 modern 322 #14,034
2011 modern 306 #14,410
2012 modern 332 #13,501
2013 modern 344 #13,349
2014 modern 363 #12,908
2015 modern 360 #12,880
2016 modern 367 #12,669

Geography

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Where Rutkowskis 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 Sheffield, Hillingdon, Braintree, Westminster and Thurrock. 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 Sheffield 049 Sheffield
2 Hillingdon 016 Hillingdon
3 Braintree 010 Braintree
4 Westminster 003 Westminster
5 Thurrock 017 Thurrock

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rutkowski

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rutkowski

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Rutkowski is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rutkowski 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

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

Meaning and origin of Rutkowski

The surname RUTKOWSKI originated in Poland during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Polish word "rutki," meaning "small brooks" or "creeks," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near such a geographic feature.

RUTKOWSKI is a toponymic surname, meaning it was originally derived from a place name. It likely originated in one of the numerous villages or towns named Rutki or Rutkowo that are found throughout different regions of Poland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a document from the town of Rutki in Masovia, dating back to the early 15th century. This document mentions a landowner named Jan RUTKOWSKI.

Another notable early reference to the name is in the Metryka Koronna, which was a collection of official records kept by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. An entry from 1468 mentions a Stanislaw RUTKOWSKI, who was a nobleman from the Dobrzyń Land region.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name became more widespread across various parts of Poland. Some notable individuals with the surname included Marcin RUTKOWSKI (1553-1624), a Catholic priest and theologian from Mazovia, and Hieronim RUTKOWSKI (1619-1695), a Jesuit missionary who traveled to China and wrote about his experiences there.

In the 18th century, Tomasz RUTKOWSKI (1700-1768) was a prominent mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of comets and planetary orbits.

As the name spread beyond Poland's borders, it also appeared in other parts of Europe and the Americas. One notable example is Józef RUTKOWSKI (1873-1949), a Polish-American writer and journalist who founded several Polish-language newspapers in the United States.

Throughout its history, the surname RUTKOWSKI has been associated with various professions, including landowners, clergy, academics, and writers. While originally concentrated in Poland, it has since become more widely dispersed across different countries and continents.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rutkowski families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rutkowski 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 13 Rutkowskis recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.25x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 13 10.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Botolph Aldgate in Middlesex leads with 13 Rutkowskis recorded in 1881 and an index of 7647.06x.

Place Total Index
St Botolph Aldgate 13 7647.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 1
Deborah 1
Fanny 1
Isabella 1
Maria 1
Rebecca 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Aaran 1
Isaac 1
Lipman 1
Mark 1
Woolf 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 Rutkowski households.

FAQ

Rutkowski surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rutkowski surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Rutkowski surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rutkowski surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 367 in 2016. That gives Rutkowski a modern rank of #12,669.

What does the Rutkowski surname mean?

A Polish habitational surname derived from place names meaning "son of Rutka" or "descendant of Rutka."

What does the Rutkowski map show?

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