NameCensus.

UK surname

Afful

A Ghanaian surname derived from the Twi word "afo," meaning "war," combined with the suffix "ful," meaning "home of."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Afful is 203 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

203

2016, ranked #19,396

Peak year

2016

203 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 203 in 2016, ranked #19,396.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Afful surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Afful surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Afful 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 82 #29,325
1998 modern 84 #29,537
1999 modern 85 #29,578
2000 modern 83 #29,809
2001 modern 86 #29,281
2002 modern 113 #26,024
2003 modern 129 #23,783
2004 modern 140 #22,793
2005 modern 163 #20,627
2006 modern 165 #20,634
2007 modern 173 #20,243
2008 modern 179 #20,015
2009 modern 189 #19,727
2010 modern 184 #20,521
2011 modern 171 #21,337
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 189 #20,273
2014 modern 187 #20,570
2015 modern 189 #20,345
2016 modern 203 #19,396

Geography

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Where Affuls 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 Enfield, Southwark, Liverpool, Lambeth and Merton. 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 Enfield 025 Enfield
2 Southwark 022 Southwark
3 Liverpool 028 Liverpool
4 Lambeth 012 Lambeth
5 Merton 019 Merton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Afful

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Afful

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Afful is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Afful 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

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

Meaning and origin of Afful

The surname AFFUL originates from Ghana, a country located in West Africa. It is believed to have its roots in the Akan language, which is spoken by several ethnic groups in Ghana, including the Ashanti and Fante people.

The name AFFUL is derived from the Akan word "afu," which means "plenty" or "abundance." It is thought to have been given as a surname to individuals who came from families or communities known for their prosperity or fertile lands.

Records of the name AFFUL can be found in historical documents and manuscripts dating back to the late 17th century, when Ghana was known as the Gold Coast and was under British colonial rule. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name appear in colonial census records and land ownership documents.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname AFFUL was Kwame AFFUL, a prominent trader who lived in the coastal town of Elmina in the late 1600s. He was known for his successful business ventures and his involvement in local politics.

Another notable figure in Ghanaian history with the surname AFFUL was Nana Akua AFFUL, a respected queen mother of the Ashanti Kingdom in the early 19th century. She was renowned for her wisdom and her role in advising the Ashanti ruler during a period of conflict with British colonial forces.

In the late 19th century, a man named Kwabena AFFUL gained recognition as a skilled craftsman and woodcarver. His intricate works, often depicting scenes from Ghanaian culture and folklore, were highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts.

During the early 20th century, a prominent educator named Kwasi AFFUL played a significant role in establishing modern educational institutions in Ghana. He was instrumental in promoting education and literacy among the local population.

In more recent times, one of the most famous individuals with the surname AFFUL is Akwasi AFFUL, a former professional footballer who represented the Ghanaian national team and played for several clubs in Europe, including Feyenoord and Marseille.

Throughout its history, the surname AFFUL has been associated with various place names and regions within Ghana, such as Akropong, Kumasi, and Cape Coast, where families bearing this name have had strong roots and connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Afful surname: questions and answers

How common is the Afful surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 203 in 2016. That gives Afful a modern rank of #19,396.

What does the Afful surname mean?

A Ghanaian surname derived from the Twi word "afo," meaning "war," combined with the suffix "ful," meaning "home of."

What does the Afful map show?

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