NameCensus.

UK surname

Zielonka

A Polish surname meaning "green meadow."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southend-on-Sea, Wolverhampton and Greenwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Zielonka is 142 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

142

2016, ranked #24,625

Peak year

2016

142 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016, ranked #24,625.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Zielonka surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Zielonka surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Zielonka 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
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 40 #33,666
1998 modern 41 #33,747
1999 modern 40 #33,967
2000 modern 42 #33,791
2001 modern 41 #33,753
2002 modern 39 #34,219
2003 modern 37 #34,432
2004 modern 44 #34,053
2005 modern 56 #33,264
2006 modern 76 #31,633
2007 modern 87 #30,666
2008 modern 105 #28,180
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 117 #27,557
2011 modern 115 #27,634
2012 modern 129 #25,705
2013 modern 132 #25,789
2014 modern 128 #26,490
2015 modern 130 #26,093
2016 modern 142 #24,625

Geography

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Where Zielonkas 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 Southend-on-Sea, Wolverhampton, Greenwich, Redbridge and Leicester. 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 Southend-on-Sea 016 Southend-on-Sea
2 Wolverhampton 016 Wolverhampton
3 Greenwich 022 Greenwich
4 Redbridge 010 Redbridge
5 Leicester 027 Leicester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Zielonka

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Zielonka

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Zielonka is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Zielonka 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

Zielonka falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Zielonka

The surname Zielonka originates from Poland and is deeply rooted in Slavic etymology. The name can be traced back to the medieval period, specifically around the 13th to 14th centuries. It originates from areas where the Polish language and culture were prominent, such as Greater Poland and Pomerania.

Zielonka is derived from the Polish word "zielony," which means "green." This indicates that the name could have originally referred to someone who lived near a green area, a verdant landscape, or perhaps someone who worked with greenery or plants. The suffix "ka" is a diminutive form, suggesting smallness or affection, often used to denote locations or lesser nobility.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zielonka appears in Polish church records from the 16th century. In 1552, Jan Zielonka was noted in Kraków's municipal documents. This early mention indicates the social relevance and establishment of the name in urban records.

The surname Zielonka is also associated with geographic locations. A village named Zielonka exists in the Masovian Voivodeship, near Warsaw, and another in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. These place names might have contributed to the distribution of the surname among the population.

A notable historical figure is Andrzej Zielonka, born in 1628, who was a known landowner and minor nobleman in the Pomeranian region. His contributions to local governance during the 17th century are documented in various legal texts and property records.

Another significant individual is Aleksander Zielonka, a 19th-century military officer who served in the November Uprising of 1830-1831. His efforts against Russian domination are commemorated in Polish military history.

In 1845, Marcin Zielonka, a scholar and educator, published several works on Polish grammar and Slavic linguistics, contributing to academic and cultural discussions of his time. His works are still referenced in historical linguistic studies.

By the early 20th century, Józef Zielonka, born in 1890, became a prominent figure in Polish politics and journalism. His writings during the interwar period highlighted the socio-political changes in Poland and influenced public opinion.

Wanda Zielonka, an artist born in 1902, gained recognition in the mid-20th century for her contributions to Polish art, particularly in painting and sculpture. Her exhibitions garnered attention both domestically and internationally, earning her a place in art history.

These historical references and notable individuals illustrate the deep-rooted presence and multifaceted contributions of people bearing the surname Zielonka throughout Polish history. The name remains a testament to the enduring cultural and social legacy within Poland and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Zielonka surname: questions and answers

How common is the Zielonka surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016. That gives Zielonka a modern rank of #24,625.

What does the Zielonka surname mean?

A Polish surname meaning "green meadow."

What does the Zielonka map show?

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