NameCensus.

UK surname

Adigun

One who comes first, or the firstborn, in the Yoruba language of West Africa.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Adigun is 287 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

283

2016, ranked #15,359

Peak year

2009

287 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 283 in 2016, ranked #15,359.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Adigun surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Adigun surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Adigun 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 97 #27,342
1998 modern 101 #27,479
1999 modern 108 #26,602
2000 modern 113 #25,843
2001 modern 117 #24,974
2002 modern 135 #23,398
2003 modern 156 #21,115
2004 modern 179 #19,523
2005 modern 207 #17,731
2006 modern 242 #16,097
2007 modern 256 #15,647
2008 modern 262 #15,550
2009 modern 287 #14,877
2010 modern 274 #15,705
2011 modern 268 #15,843
2012 modern 269 #15,706
2013 modern 274 #15,764
2014 modern 275 #15,831
2015 modern 279 #15,527
2016 modern 283 #15,359

Geography

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Where Adiguns 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 Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich. 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 Southwark 019 Southwark
2 Lewisham 007 Lewisham
3 Southwark 006 Southwark
4 Southwark 008 Southwark
5 Greenwich 004 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Adigun

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Adigun

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

Adigun 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

Adigun falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Adigun 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
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Adigun

The surname ADIGUN is of Yoruba origin from southwestern Nigeria. It first emerged during the medieval period of West African history, likely originating from the town of Ido in what is now Oyo State. The name is believed to derive from the Yoruba words "adi" meaning crown or royalty, and "gun" meaning to wear or adorn. Thus, the name ADIGUN may have initially referred to someone who adorned or wore royal crowns or headdresses.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the ADIGUN surname can be found in the Ife-Ife terracotta sculptures from the 12th century. These remarkable works of art depict several individuals adorned with elaborate headpieces, potentially representing nobles or members of the royal court bearing the ADIGUN name. Additionally, the name appears in oral histories and legends passed down through generations of Yoruba storytellers.

In the 16th century, during the height of the Oyo Empire, a prominent military leader named Adigun Olugbede played a crucial role in defending the empire against invading forces. His exploits were documented in the "Itan Oyo" (Oyo History), a compilation of historical accounts and chronicles.

Another notable figure was Adigun Agbaje, a 17th-century diplomat and negotiator who helped establish trade agreements between the Oyo Empire and neighboring kingdoms. His diplomatic efforts were instrumental in maintaining peaceful relations and facilitating economic prosperity.

In the 19th century, Adigun Oluwole, a respected scholar and linguist, made significant contributions to the preservation and documentation of the Yoruba language. His work helped to ensure the language's survival and laid the foundation for its study by future generations.

More recently, Adigun Ogunsheye (1920-2003) was a renowned Nigerian artist known for his vibrant and expressive paintings that captured the essence of Yoruba culture and traditions. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, cementing his legacy as one of Nigeria's most celebrated artists.

While the ADIGUN surname has its roots in Nigeria's rich history, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, where it once held significant cultural and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Adigun surname: questions and answers

How common is the Adigun surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 283 in 2016. That gives Adigun a modern rank of #15,359.

What does the Adigun surname mean?

One who comes first, or the firstborn, in the Yoruba language of West Africa.

What does the Adigun map show?

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