NameCensus.

UK surname

Wolak

A surname of Polish origin derived from the word "wolk," meaning "wolf."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wandsworth, Bolsover and Newark and Sherwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wolak is 118 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

112

2016, ranked #28,844

Peak year

2014

118 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 112 in 2016, ranked #28,844.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Wolak surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wolak surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wolak 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
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1997 modern 29 #34,795
1998 modern 28 #35,053
1999 modern 24 #35,514
2000 modern 26 #35,295
2001 modern 26 #35,152
2002 modern 24 #35,520
2003 modern 27 #35,279
2004 modern 34 #34,868
2005 modern 39 #34,652
2006 modern 49 #34,152
2007 modern 53 #34,115
2008 modern 61 #33,655
2009 modern 62 #33,832
2010 modern 76 #33,009
2011 modern 79 #32,743
2012 modern 111 #28,332
2013 modern 113 #28,502
2014 modern 118 #27,961
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 112 #28,844

Geography

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Where Wolaks 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 Wandsworth, Bolsover, Newark and Sherwood, Newport and Cardiff. 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 Wandsworth 037 Wandsworth
2 Bolsover 006 Bolsover
3 Newark and Sherwood 002 Newark and Sherwood
4 Newport 011 Newport
5 Cardiff 023 Cardiff

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wolak

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wolak

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Wolak surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Wolak 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Wolak 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

Wolak 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

Wolak falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wolak

The surname Wolak is of Polish origin, tracing its roots back to medieval Poland. The name is most commonly associated with the regions of Lesser Poland (Małopolska) and Silesia, where it emerged in the late Middle Ages. Derived from the Polish word Wołoch or Wałach, which refers to "a person from Wallachia" or "a Vlach," it is indicative of the migration and settlement patterns of the Vlach shepherds who moved into the Polish territories during this period.

The earliest recorded appearance of the surname Wolak can be traced back to the 15th century. Historical manuscripts and parish records from this era document the presence of individuals with this surname, evidencing the establishment of the name within these populations. For example, in 1488, a certain Jan Wolak was mentioned in the tax records of Kraków, a significant urban center in Lesser Poland.

Over time, the spelling of the name has remained relatively consistent, although variations such as Wolok or Wolack might appear in certain historical texts due to the phonetic transcription practices of the period. Records from the 16th and 17th centuries often list the surname in connection with agricultural activities, such as the 1575 registry from a village near Wrocław, where a farmer named Piotr Wolak is documented.

Famous bearers of the Wolak surname include Jan Wolak (1562-1630), a noted craftsman from Sandomierz, who was renowned for his work in wood carving. Another distinguished individual was Józef Wolak (1750-1820), a military officer who played a significant role during the Bar Confederation, an association of Polish nobles formed to defend the internal and external independence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth against Russian influence.

The 18th century saw a diversification in the professions of people with the surname Wolak. An example is Kazimierz Wolak (1772-1835), an educator and writer from Lviv, whose contributions to Polish educational reforms were well documented. Moving into the 19th century, Helena Wolak (1836-1902) emerged as a prominent figure in the Polish independence movement. Her activities in supporting the January Uprising of 1863 were notable, reflecting the enduring relevance of the Wolak family in Polish socio-political life.

Finally, Antoni Wolak (1790-1848), a merchant from Warsaw, is recorded for his significant contributions to the commerce and trade sectors during the early industrial period of Poland. His involvement in the textile industry marked him as a pioneering entrepreneur of his time.

These individuals highlight the diverse roles and significant contributions of the Wolak family throughout Polish history, illustrating the surname's deep-seated heritage and influence within the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Wolak surname: questions and answers

How common is the Wolak surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 112 in 2016. That gives Wolak a modern rank of #28,844.

What does the Wolak surname mean?

A surname of Polish origin derived from the word "wolk," meaning "wolf."

What does the Wolak map show?

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