NameCensus.

UK surname

Akinola

Derived from the Yoruba words "akin" (brave) and "ola" (wealth), signifying a courageous and prosperous person.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich and St Albans.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Akinola is 464 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

456

2016, ranked #10,705

Peak year

2010

464 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 456 in 2016, ranked #10,705.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Akinola surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Akinola surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Akinola 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 143 #21,761
1998 modern 152 #21,481
1999 modern 180 #19,454
2000 modern 182 #19,300
2001 modern 172 #19,696
2002 modern 213 #17,603
2003 modern 256 #15,377
2004 modern 298 #13,937
2005 modern 334 #12,818
2006 modern 367 #12,016
2007 modern 386 #11,676
2008 modern 396 #11,581
2009 modern 440 #10,888
2010 modern 464 #10,633
2011 modern 435 #11,066
2012 modern 429 #11,078
2013 modern 442 #10,997
2014 modern 450 #10,902
2015 modern 447 #10,873
2016 modern 456 #10,705

Geography

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Where Akinolas 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 Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich and St Albans. 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 Barking and Dagenham 007 Barking and Dagenham
2 Greenwich 002 Greenwich
3 Greenwich 003 Greenwich
4 St Albans 017 St Albans
5 Greenwich 011 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Akinola

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Akinola

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

Akinola 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

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

Meaning and origin of Akinola

The surname Akinola has its origins in the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two Yoruba words: 'Akin' meaning warrior or valiant one, and 'Ola' meaning wealth or fortune. The name can be traced back to the early 16th century during the height of the Oyo Empire in present-day Oyo State and surrounding areas.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Akinola appears in a 17th century manuscript detailing the lineage of Oyo kings and nobles. The document lists an Akinola as a prominent military leader who played a key role in defending the empire against invaders from the north.

In the 18th century, the name Akinola appeared in records from the Kingdom of Benin, suggesting that bearers of the name had migrated or established connections with the Edo people. During this period, variants such as 'Akinolu' and 'Akinolu' were also used.

Historically, the name Akinola has been associated with bravery, leadership, and success in warfare. This is exemplified by notable figures like Akinola Adekunle (1888-1962), a highly decorated Nigerian military officer who served in both World Wars. Another prominent bearer was Akinola Agbaje (1924-2003), a renowned academic and educationist who played a pivotal role in establishing universities in Nigeria.

Other notable individuals with the surname include Akinola Akingbala (1914-2005), a respected traditional ruler and community leader in Ogun State, and Akinola Ogunbayo (1923-2001), a pioneering Nigerian diplomat who served as the country's ambassador to several nations.

The surname Akinola has also been carried by influential figures in the Nigerian church, such as Akinola Adebiyi (1932-2012), who served as the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Lagos from 1988 to 2002.

While the surname Akinola is most prevalent in southwestern Nigeria, it has also spread to other parts of the country and the world through migration and diaspora communities. The name continues to carry the connotations of its rich historical roots, representing the warrior spirit, success, and cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Akinola surname: questions and answers

How common is the Akinola surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 456 in 2016. That gives Akinola a modern rank of #10,705.

What does the Akinola surname mean?

Derived from the Yoruba words "akin" (brave) and "ola" (wealth), signifying a courageous and prosperous person.

What does the Akinola map show?

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