NameCensus.

UK surname

Akinpelu

One who is born into wealth, power, and prestige, or one who is destined for greatness.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Akinpelu is 145 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

124

2016, ranked #26,975

Peak year

2009

145 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016, ranked #26,975.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Akinpelu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Akinpelu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Akinpelu 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 34 #34,282
1998 modern 39 #33,967
1999 modern 53 #32,746
2000 modern 53 #32,805
2001 modern 51 #32,850
2002 modern 67 #31,723
2003 modern 85 #29,877
2004 modern 106 #27,045
2005 modern 109 #26,583
2006 modern 123 #24,873
2007 modern 137 #23,590
2008 modern 134 #24,249
2009 modern 145 #23,473
2010 modern 144 #24,147
2011 modern 129 #25,673
2012 modern 110 #28,514
2013 modern 111 #28,856
2014 modern 113 #28,779
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 124 #26,975

Geography

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Where Akinpelus 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, Bromley, Newham 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 026 Southwark
2 Bromley 009 Bromley
3 Newham 013 Newham
4 Southwark 011 Southwark
5 Greenwich 034 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Akinpelu

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Akinpelu, 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 Akinpelu surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Akinpelu 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, Akinpelu 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

Akinpelu 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

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

Meaning and origin of Akinpelu

The surname AKINPELU originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th century, during the era of the Oyo Empire.

AKINPELU is a compound Yoruba name derived from the words "akin" meaning bravery or valor, and "pelu" meaning to accompany or be with. Thus, the name can be interpreted as "brave companion" or "one who accompanies with bravery."

One of the earliest known references to the AKINPELU name appears in the oral histories and folktales of the Oyo people, which recount the exploits of warriors and leaders bearing this surname. These narratives often described AKINPELU individuals as valiant warriors and loyal companions to their kings and chiefs.

In the 18th century, the AKINPELU name gained prominence among the noble families and ruling class of the Oyo Empire. Notable individuals from this period include Chief Akinpelu Aderibigbe, a respected military commander and advisor to the Alaafin (the paramount ruler) during the reign of Alaafin Abiodun in the late 1700s.

Another historically significant figure was Akinpelu Obateru, a renowned trader and diplomat who facilitated trade agreements between the Oyo Empire and neighboring kingdoms in the early 19th century.

As the Yoruba people dispersed across West Africa and beyond, the AKINPELU surname spread to other regions. In the late 19th century, Reverend Samuel Akinpelu was a pioneering Christian missionary who helped establish churches and schools in present-day Benin Republic.

During the 20th century, the AKINPELU name gained wider recognition through individuals such as Chief Akinpelu Obisesan, a prominent politician and advocate for Nigerian independence, and Professor Akinpelu Ogundeji, a renowned scholar and linguist who contributed significantly to the preservation of Yoruba language and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Akinpelu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Akinpelu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016. That gives Akinpelu a modern rank of #26,975.

What does the Akinpelu surname mean?

One who is born into wealth, power, and prestige, or one who is destined for greatness.

What does the Akinpelu map show?

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