NameCensus.

UK surname

Akin

A Yoruba name meaning "brave," "hero," or "strong," or referring to someone born facing upward.

In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Akin surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 316, ranked #14,227, up from #24,561 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stenhouse and Saughton Mains, Hackney and Oldham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Akin is 316 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 393.8%.

1881 census count

64

Ranked #24,561

Modern count

316

2016, ranked #14,227

Peak year

2016

316 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Akin had 64 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,561 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 316 in 2016, ranked #14,227.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 73 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Akin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Akin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Akin 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
1851 historical 56 #23,235
1861 historical 60 #26,313
1881 historical 64 #24,561
1891 historical 73 #27,677
1901 historical 48 #28,808
1911 historical 62 #26,622
1997 modern 130 #23,021
1998 modern 144 #22,221
1999 modern 148 #22,020
2000 modern 134 #23,358
2001 modern 139 #22,541
2002 modern 153 #21,609
2003 modern 171 #19,953
2004 modern 181 #19,363
2005 modern 197 #18,339
2006 modern 206 #17,945
2007 modern 209 #17,951
2008 modern 224 #17,337
2009 modern 229 #17,431
2010 modern 264 #16,163
2011 modern 264 #16,016
2012 modern 263 #15,954
2013 modern 280 #15,530
2014 modern 306 #14,647
2015 modern 307 #14,504
2016 modern 316 #14,227

Geography

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Where Akins 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 Stenhouse and Saughton Mains, Hackney, Oldham and Brent. 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 Stenhouse and Saughton Mains City of Edinburgh
2 Hackney 014 Hackney
3 Oldham 033 Oldham
4 Brent 025 Brent
5 Hackney 002 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Akin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Akin

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Akin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Akin 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Akin 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

Akin 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

Akin 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 Akin 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Akin

The surname Akin has its origins in the ancient Turkish language and can be traced back to the 8th century AD. It is derived from the Turkish word "akın," which means "raid" or "invasion." This suggests that the name was likely given to individuals who participated in military campaigns or raids during the expansion of the Turkish empires.

The Akin surname first appeared in written records during the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over a vast territory spanning modern-day Turkey, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East and North Africa. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ottoman court archives from the 15th century, where it was used to refer to a group of warriors and their families.

In the 16th century, the Akin name gained prominence with the rise of Akin Mehmet Bey, a renowned Ottoman statesman and military commander. He played a crucial role in the Ottoman conquest of Mesopotamia and was appointed as the governor of Baghdad in 1534. Akin Mehmet Bey's legacy and achievements contributed to the widespread recognition of the Akin surname.

As the Ottoman Empire expanded, the Akin name spread across its territories, with various spellings and variations emerging in different regions. For example, in the Balkan region, the name was sometimes spelled as "Aqin" or "Aćin," reflecting the local linguistic influences.

One notable figure with the Akin surname was Akin Pasha, an Ottoman military leader who served as the Grand Vizier (prime minister) of the Ottoman Empire from 1635 to 1636. He played a significant role in the Ottoman-Persian War and was known for his strategic military campaigns.

Another prominent individual was Akin Efendi, a renowned Ottoman calligrapher and poet who lived in the 17th century. His works were widely admired and contributed to the rich cultural heritage of the Ottoman Empire.

In the 19th century, the Akin surname gained recognition with the birth of Akin Terzibaşı (1835-1907), a prominent Ottoman bureaucrat and diplomat. He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and played a crucial role in the modernization efforts of the Ottoman Empire.

As the Ottoman Empire dissolved and new nation-states emerged in the early 20th century, the Akin surname continued to be prevalent in various regions, particularly in Turkey, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East. It has since been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity in these regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Akin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Akin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 17 Akins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.29x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 17 2.29x
Middlesex 12 1.92x
Sussex 8 7.60x
Derbyshire 7 7.16x
Durham 7 3.77x
Lincolnshire 3 3.01x
Yorkshire 3 0.48x
Cheshire 2 1.45x
Angus 1 1.73x
Gloucestershire 1 0.82x
Kent 1 0.47x
Roxburghshire 1 8.84x
Somerset 1 1.00x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 11 Akins recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.56x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 11 40.56x
Medlar With Wesham 11 5000.00x
Brighton 8 37.66x
Conside Knitsley 7 486.11x
Whittington 7 518.52x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 3 214.29x
Liverpool 2 4.45x
Macclesfield 2 32.63x
Salford 2 9.18x
Barnsley 1 15.67x
Barrow In Furness 1 9.92x
Clevedon 1 96.15x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 7.95x
Eltham 1 80.00x
Hawick 1 39.53x
Horfield 1 81.30x
Liff Benvie 1 11.39x
Middlesbrough 1 12.41x
St Clement Danes London 1 77.52x
Toxteth Park 1 3.99x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Akin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 4
Ann 3
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Harriett 2
Jane 2
Martha 2
Anne 1
Catherine 1
Ellen 1
Hannah 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Rose 1
Rosella 1
Rosina 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Akin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 10
William 8
Henry 5
James 5
Charles 2
Robert 2
David 1
Edward 1
George 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Akin households.

FAQ

Akin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Akin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Akin surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Akin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 316 in 2016. That gives Akin a modern rank of #14,227.

What does the Akin surname mean?

A Yoruba name meaning "brave," "hero," or "strong," or referring to someone born facing upward.

What does the Akin map show?

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