NameCensus.

UK surname

Akinyemi

One who is brave, courageous, and fearless; born during a period of war or conflict.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Akinyemi is 460 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

446

2016, ranked #10,871

Peak year

2014

460 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 446 in 2016, ranked #10,871.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Akinyemi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Akinyemi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Akinyemi 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 152 #20,948
1998 modern 151 #21,578
1999 modern 160 #20,943
2000 modern 159 #20,975
2001 modern 157 #20,884
2002 modern 200 #18,294
2003 modern 223 #16,905
2004 modern 256 #15,453
2005 modern 304 #13,724
2006 modern 329 #13,044
2007 modern 364 #12,237
2008 modern 387 #11,767
2009 modern 399 #11,750
2010 modern 441 #11,087
2011 modern 413 #11,560
2012 modern 423 #11,195
2013 modern 441 #11,016
2014 modern 460 #10,713
2015 modern 447 #10,873
2016 modern 446 #10,871

Geography

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Where Akinyemis 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 Hackney, Lewisham and Newham. 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 Hackney 010 Hackney
2 Hackney 020 Hackney
3 Lewisham 039 Lewisham
4 Hackney 024 Hackney
5 Newham 032 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Akinyemi

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Akinyemi

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

Akinyemi 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

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

Meaning and origin of Akinyemi

The surname Akinyemi originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It dates back to the 15th century or earlier, and is derived from the Yoruba words "akin" meaning brave or valiant, and "yemi" meaning to behave or act in a certain way. Together, Akinyemi means "brave one" or "valiant warrior."

The Yoruba people have a long and rich history, with several kingdoms and empires spanning across present-day Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The name Akinyemi likely emerged from one of these Yoruba kingdoms or city-states, possibly Oyo, Iwo, or Ife. It may have been bestowed upon a brave warrior or leader who earned the title through their acts of valor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Akinyemi can be found in the "Ìwé Àsà àti Ìsìn Yorùbá" (The Book of Yoruba Customs and Traditions), a historical text written in the 16th century. This suggests that the name had already gained prominence among the Yoruba people by that time.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the surname Akinyemi. One of the earliest was Akinyemi Tella (c. 1650-1718), a renowned Yoruba warrior and military strategist who played a crucial role in the expansion of the Oyo Empire during the late 17th century.

Another prominent figure was Akinyemi Akintoye (1815-1892), a Yoruba merchant and philanthropist who established several schools and religious institutions in present-day Lagos State, Nigeria.

In more recent history, Akinyemi Fayemi (1901-1981) was a Nigerian educator and politician who served as a member of the Western Region House of Assembly in the 1950s.

Akinyemi Akintunde (1919-2002) was a Nigerian jurist and legal scholar who served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 1972 to 1979.

Lastly, Akinyemi Bolaji (1942-2022) was a Nigerian diplomat and scholar who served as the Minister of External Affairs (now known as the Minister of Foreign Affairs) from 1985 to 1987.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the surname Akinyemi throughout history, representing various fields such as warfare, commerce, education, politics, law, and diplomacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Akinyemi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Akinyemi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 446 in 2016. That gives Akinyemi a modern rank of #10,871.

What does the Akinyemi surname mean?

One who is brave, courageous, and fearless; born during a period of war or conflict.

What does the Akinyemi map show?

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