NameCensus.

UK surname

Zmuda

A Polish surname potentially derived from "żmuda", meaning difficulty or hardship.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Boston, North Lincolnshire and Lambeth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Zmuda is 158 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

155

2016, ranked #23,197

Peak year

2014

158 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 155 in 2016, ranked #23,197.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities.

Zmuda surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Zmuda surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Zmuda 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 21 #35,692
1998 modern 20 #35,885
1999 modern 22 #35,725
2000 modern 21 #35,799
2001 modern 21 #35,646
2002 modern 20 #35,894
2003 modern 23 #35,650
2004 modern 28 #35,354
2005 modern 47 #34,011
2006 modern 76 #31,633
2007 modern 86 #30,808
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 101 #29,445
2010 modern 111 #28,509
2011 modern 128 #25,793
2012 modern 155 #22,762
2013 modern 151 #23,529
2014 modern 158 #23,022
2015 modern 155 #23,194
2016 modern 155 #23,197

Geography

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Where Zmudas 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 Boston, North Lincolnshire, Lambeth, Torbay and Dingwall. 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 Boston 003 Boston
2 North Lincolnshire 008 North Lincolnshire
3 Lambeth 032 Lambeth
4 Torbay 014 Torbay
5 Dingwall Highland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Zmuda

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Zmuda

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

Baseline UK

Group

Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities

Nationally, the Zmuda surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Zmuda household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Single-person households are common in these neighbourhoods, and these residents are typically divorced rather than never married. A high proportion of residents were born outside the UK in the EU. There are many young adults, some with young children, but relatively few residents are of normal retirement age or over. Although levels of identification with ethnic minorities are in line with the Supergroup average, individuals identifying with Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is more common than average. High long-term disability rates are observed, and unpaid care is more common than in the rest of the Group. The predominant housing types are terraced houses and flats, which are typically part of the social rented sector. This Group is commonly found in coastal areas and (present-day or former) industrial towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Zmuda 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

Zmuda 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

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

Meaning and origin of Zmuda

The surname Zmuda has its origins in Poland, with early historical traces emerging from the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old Polish word "zmuda," which means "effort" or "toilsome work." This etymological root suggests that the original bearer of the surname might have been someone known for their hard work or perseverance.

Historically, the name Zmuda appears in Polish records dating back several centuries. One of the earliest mentions of the surname can be found in church registers and civil documents from the late 14th century. These documents often recorded the names of landowners, tenants, and other community members, providing some of the first tangible evidence of the Zmuda name.

The spelling of the surname has remained relatively consistent over the centuries, although variations such as Zmuda and Smuda have been noted. These slight changes in spelling are often attributed to regional dialects and the transcription practices of the time.

Among the notable individuals with the surname Zmuda is Mieczysław Zmuda, a prominent Polish artist born in 1905 and known for his contributions to modern art. His works were celebrated for their innovative use of color and form, earning him a respected place in the Polish art community until his death in 1973.

Another significant figure is Antoni Zmuda, a military leader active during the Napoleonic Wars. Born in 1785, Antoni's tactical acumen and leadership earned him recognition and respect in the Polish army. His career was marked by numerous battles, and he played a crucial role in several key victories until his death in 1834.

Further back in history, we find Jan Zmuda, a scholar and theologian born in 1647. Jan became known for his extensive writings on religious philosophy and ethics, which influenced the intellectual currents of his time. His works were widely read and respected, marking him as a key figure in the academic landscape of 17th-century Poland.

The name Zmuda also appears in connection with the village of Zmuda in eastern Poland. Historical references to this village date back to the 15th century, and it is likely that the surname originated from this geographic location. The relationship between place names and surnames is well documented, with individuals often adopting the name of their home village or town.

Lastly, one must mention Katarzyna Zmuda, a noted poet of the 19th century. Born in 1820, Katarzyna's poetry reflected the social and political changes of her time. Her works were celebrated for their emotional depth and literary excellence, and she remained an influential figure in Polish literature until her death in 1889.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Zmuda surname: questions and answers

How common is the Zmuda surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 155 in 2016. That gives Zmuda a modern rank of #23,197.

What does the Zmuda surname mean?

A Polish surname potentially derived from "żmuda", meaning difficulty or hardship.

What does the Zmuda map show?

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