NameCensus.

UK surname

Abiola

One who was born on a holiday or festival day, or one who brings wealth and prosperity.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bexley, Greenwich and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abiola is 272 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

268

2016, ranked #16,003

Peak year

2015

272 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 268 in 2016, ranked #16,003.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Abiola surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Abiola surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Abiola 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 120 #24,158
1998 modern 118 #25,041
1999 modern 131 #23,709
2000 modern 133 #23,462
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 142 #22,687
2003 modern 159 #20,881
2004 modern 174 #19,871
2005 modern 217 #17,217
2006 modern 231 #16,636
2007 modern 239 #16,449
2008 modern 240 #16,535
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 260 #16,343
2011 modern 250 #16,637
2012 modern 241 #16,925
2013 modern 247 #16,935
2014 modern 256 #16,643
2015 modern 272 #15,851
2016 modern 268 #16,003

Geography

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Where Abiolas 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 Bexley, Greenwich, Islington, Camden and Westminster. 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 Bexley 001 Bexley
2 Greenwich 002 Greenwich
3 Islington 018 Islington
4 Camden 017 Camden
5 Westminster 008 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Abiola

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Abiola

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Abiola surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Abiola 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Abiola is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Abiola 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

Abiola 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 Abiola is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Abiola

The surname Abiola originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Its roots can be traced back to the 16th century when the Yoruba kingdoms flourished in the region.

Abiola is derived from the Yoruba words "abi" meaning "born" and "ola" meaning "wealth" or "honor." Thus, the name Abiola translates to "born into wealth and honor," signifying a person of noble birth or high social standing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Abiola can be found in the records of the Oyo Empire, a prominent Yoruba kingdom that existed from the 16th to the 19th century. The name appears in historical accounts and oral traditions, associated with prominent families and individuals within the empire.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Abiola Ogunlolu was a renowned warrior and military leader who played a significant role in the expansion and defense of the Oyo Empire. His bravery and strategic prowess earned him recognition and respect within the Yoruba community.

During the 19th century, the Abiola surname gained further prominence with the birth of Abiola Akinsanya (1827-1898), a respected community leader and advisor to the Alaafin (king) of Oyo. He was known for his wisdom, diplomacy, and efforts to preserve Yoruba cultural traditions.

Another notable figure was Abiola Gbadamosi (1872-1942), a successful businessman and industrialist who established one of the first large-scale textile factories in Nigeria. His entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to the economy earned him a place in the history of the Yoruba people.

In the 20th century, the name Abiola gained international recognition with the rise of Moshood Abiola (1937-1998), a prominent Nigerian businessman and politician. He won the annulled 1993 presidential election, leading to a significant political crisis in Nigeria. His struggle for democracy and human rights made him a revered figure in the country's history.

The Abiola surname has also been associated with various places and settlements in southwestern Nigeria, such as the town of Abiola in Ogun State, reflecting the influence and presence of families bearing this name in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Abiola surname: questions and answers

How common is the Abiola surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 268 in 2016. That gives Abiola a modern rank of #16,003.

What does the Abiola surname mean?

One who was born on a holiday or festival day, or one who brings wealth and prosperity.

What does the Abiola map show?

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