NameCensus.

UK surname

Zawada

A surname of Polish origin meaning "obstacle" or "hindrance".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Croydon, Derby and Northampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Zawada is 232 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

231

2016, ranked #17,764

Peak year

2014

232 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 231 in 2016, ranked #17,764.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Zawada surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Zawada surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Zawada 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 56 #32,004
1998 modern 51 #32,816
1999 modern 55 #32,561
2000 modern 56 #32,514
2001 modern 56 #32,379
2002 modern 59 #32,468
2003 modern 63 #32,152
2004 modern 64 #32,286
2005 modern 80 #30,842
2006 modern 108 #27,015
2007 modern 117 #26,066
2008 modern 142 #23,270
2009 modern 150 #22,937
2010 modern 171 #21,481
2011 modern 169 #21,499
2012 modern 198 #19,340
2013 modern 225 #18,027
2014 modern 232 #17,761
2015 modern 231 #17,733
2016 modern 231 #17,764

Geography

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Where Zawadas 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 Croydon, Derby, Northampton, Waveney and East Lindsey. 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 Croydon 022 Croydon
2 Derby 003 Derby
3 Northampton 023 Northampton
4 Waveney 009 Waveney
5 East Lindsey 016 East Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Zawada

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Zawada

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

Zawada 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

Zawada 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 Zawada is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Zawada

The surname Zawada has its origins in Poland, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the regions of Lesser Poland (Małopolska) and Silesia, which were historically significant areas during the formation of the Polish state. The name is likely derived from the Old Polish word "zawada," which means "obstacle" or "hindrance." This word might have been used to describe a geographical feature such as a rugged terrain, or a person’s role as a guardian or defender of a territory.

The surname appears in various historical records dating back several centuries. One of the earliest mentions of the name can be found in 14th-century Polish documents. In 1376, a certain Jakub de Zawada is recorded in the Silesian records. This shows that the name was already established in Poland by then and was associated with noble families and landowners.

Over time, the surname has been documented in various forms, including Zavadsky and Zavadzinski, depending on regional dialects and orthographic practices of the time. The village of Zawada, found in several places across Poland, particularly in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, lends to the understanding that the surname could also be locational, indicating origin from any of these places.

Notable historical figures bearing the surname Zawada include Wojciech Zawada, a Polish nobleman born in the 15th century, who participated in the local councils and played a role in regional politics. Another significant figure is Karol Zawada, born in 1812, who was known for his contributions to Polish culture and literature during the Romantic period in Poland.

In the realm of sports, the surname gained international recognition through Antoni Zawada, born in 1920, who was a renowned Polish footballer and represented Poland in international competitions during the early mid-20th century. Another sports-related personality is Krzysztof Zawada, born in 1960, who is known for his achievements in high-altitude mountaineering and has multiple first ascents to his credit, including expeditions to the Himalayas.

The historical journey of the surname Zawada reflects both geographical and cultural influences, which have shaped its use and significance over the centuries. Its appearance in historical records and manuscripts signifies its long-standing presence and the prominent roles played by individuals with this surname in various fields, from nobility and politics to sports and cultural contributions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Zawada surname: questions and answers

How common is the Zawada surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 231 in 2016. That gives Zawada a modern rank of #17,764.

What does the Zawada surname mean?

A surname of Polish origin meaning "obstacle" or "hindrance".

What does the Zawada map show?

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