NameCensus.

UK surname

Sobolewski

An occupational surname from the Polish referring to a furrier or fur trader.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnsley, Camden and Enfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sobolewski is 176 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

176

2016, ranked #21,298

Peak year

2016

176 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 176 in 2016, ranked #21,298.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Sobolewski surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sobolewski surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sobolewski 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1997 modern 52 #32,444
1998 modern 53 #32,633
1999 modern 54 #32,660
2000 modern 57 #32,417
2001 modern 55 #32,482
2002 modern 51 #33,193
2003 modern 52 #33,160
2004 modern 59 #32,787
2005 modern 71 #31,816
2006 modern 84 #30,665
2007 modern 101 #28,505
2008 modern 111 #27,225
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 127 #26,176
2011 modern 127 #25,926
2012 modern 166 #21,683
2013 modern 171 #21,654
2014 modern 170 #21,914
2015 modern 170 #21,800
2016 modern 176 #21,298

Geography

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Where Sobolewskis 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 Barnsley, Camden, Enfield, Hastings and Carronshore. 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 Barnsley 014 Barnsley
2 Camden 019 Camden
3 Enfield 017 Enfield
4 Hastings 003 Hastings
5 Carronshore Falkirk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sobolewski

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sobolewski

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

Sobolewski 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sobolewski

The surname Sobolewski is of Polish origin, derived from the word "sobol" which means "sable" in Polish, referring to the furry animal. This surname likely originated in the late medieval period, possibly as early as the 13th or 14th century, in the regions that are now modern-day Poland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sobolewski can be found in the 16th century Polish census records from the city of Krakow. It is believed that the name was initially adopted by individuals who were involved in the sable fur trade or worked as furriers.

The Sobolewski name has been present in various historical documents throughout the centuries. For instance, there is a record of a nobleman named Jan Sobolewski who served as a military officer in the Polish army during the 17th century Polish-Swedish wars.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Tomasz Sobolewski was a respected scholar and philosopher who taught at the University of Krakow. He authored several influential works on ethics and moral philosophy during his lifetime (1701-1781).

During the 19th century, a Polish artist named Kazimierz Sobolewski (1808-1872) gained recognition for his landscape paintings, which often depicted scenes from the Polish countryside and forests.

Another notable individual with the Sobolewski surname was Stanisław Sobolewski (1872-1927), a Polish engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early telecommunications technology.

In more recent history, Józef Sobolewski (1903-1988) was a celebrated Polish poet and writer, best known for his lyrical works that captured the essence of rural life and the natural beauty of Poland.

While the Sobolewski name has its roots in Poland, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to immigration and diaspora. However, the origins of this surname can be traced back to the Polish lands and the historical connections to the sable fur trade and furrier professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Sobolewski surname: questions and answers

How common is the Sobolewski surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 176 in 2016. That gives Sobolewski a modern rank of #21,298.

What does the Sobolewski surname mean?

An occupational surname from the Polish referring to a furrier or fur trader.

What does the Sobolewski map show?

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