NameCensus.

UK surname

Agyeman

A Ghanaian surname derived from the Akan words "agye," meaning "war," and "man," meaning "great" or "strong."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Agyeman is 501 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

435

2016, ranked #11,084

Peak year

2010

501 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 435 in 2016, ranked #11,084.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Agyeman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Agyeman surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Agyeman 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 2 #34,436
1997 modern 203 #17,457
1998 modern 224 #16,888
1999 modern 234 #16,506
2000 modern 245 #15,955
2001 modern 246 #15,684
2002 modern 290 #14,314
2003 modern 307 #13,614
2004 modern 338 #12,781
2005 modern 366 #11,964
2006 modern 387 #11,514
2007 modern 414 #11,072
2008 modern 441 #10,600
2009 modern 485 #10,090
2010 modern 501 #10,047
2011 modern 460 #10,594
2012 modern 432 #11,015
2013 modern 441 #11,016
2014 modern 445 #11,002
2015 modern 432 #11,183
2016 modern 435 #11,084

Geography

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Where Agyemans 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 Croydon, Enfield, Wandsworth, Milton Keynes and Haringey. 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 Croydon 013 Croydon
2 Enfield 037 Enfield
3 Wandsworth 002 Wandsworth
4 Milton Keynes 014 Milton Keynes
5 Haringey 037 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Agyeman

These lists show first names that appear often with the Agyeman 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 Agyeman

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

Agyeman 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

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

Meaning and origin of Agyeman

The surname Agyeman originates from Ghana in West Africa. It is an Akan name that has its roots in the Twi language spoken by the Akan people. The name Agyeman is derived from the words "agye" meaning savior or redeemer, and "man" meaning nation or people. Together, the name carries the meaning of "savior or redeemer of the people."

The Akan people have a rich cultural heritage, and their naming traditions reflect their values and beliefs. Names in the Akan tradition often carry significant meaning and can convey attributes, circumstances surrounding birth, or aspirations for the child. The name Agyeman is believed to have originated several centuries ago, though the exact date is uncertain.

Historical records mention individuals with the surname Agyeman dating back to the 17th century. One notable figure was Nana Agyeman Badu I, a chief of the Akuapem state in the late 17th century. He is remembered for his leadership and diplomacy during a period of conflict between the Akuapem and the neighboring Akyem state.

In the 19th century, the surname Agyeman gained prominence with the birth of Nana Agyeman Prempeh I, who became the Asantehene (ruler) of the Ashanti Empire from 1888 to 1931. He played a significant role in the resistance against British colonial rule and was briefly exiled to Seychelles by the British authorities.

Another prominent figure bearing the Agyeman surname was J.E.K. Agyeman, a Ghanaian educator and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in the 1940s. He was a vocal advocate for education and played a crucial role in the development of Ghana's educational system.

In more recent times, Fred Agyeman, a Ghanaian football player, gained recognition for his successful career, playing for various clubs in Europe, including Olympiacos and AEK Athens in Greece, between the 1990s and early 2000s.

The Agyeman surname has also been carried by notable scholars and academics, such as Julian Agyeman, a British academic and author who has made significant contributions to the fields of environmental justice and sustainable development.

While the surname Agyeman has its origins in Ghana, it has spread beyond the borders of the country and can be found among people of Akan descent in other parts of the world, including the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, reflecting the diaspora of the Akan people over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Agyeman surname: questions and answers

How common is the Agyeman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 435 in 2016. That gives Agyeman a modern rank of #11,084.

What does the Agyeman surname mean?

A Ghanaian surname derived from the Akan words "agye," meaning "war," and "man," meaning "great" or "strong."

What does the Agyeman map show?

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