NameCensus.

UK surname

Ako

A Nigerian surname referring to a firstborn male child or an only son in the Yoruba language.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ako is 115 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

2016

115 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ako surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ako surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ako 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 49 #32,776
1998 modern 47 #33,197
1999 modern 55 #32,561
2000 modern 59 #32,217
2001 modern 55 #32,482
2002 modern 60 #32,388
2003 modern 57 #32,704
2004 modern 60 #32,684
2005 modern 76 #31,267
2006 modern 77 #31,510
2007 modern 90 #30,228
2008 modern 89 #30,713
2009 modern 93 #30,682
2010 modern 103 #29,780
2011 modern 93 #31,169
2012 modern 91 #31,659
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 109 #29,327
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

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Where Akos 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, Barking and Dagenham, Lambeth, Wigan and Hounslow. 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 Barking and Dagenham 019 Barking and Dagenham
3 Lambeth 009 Lambeth
4 Wigan 005 Wigan
5 Hounslow 008 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ako

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

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

Ako 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ako

The surname "AKO" is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically in the region now known as Nigeria. It is thought to have been derived from the Yoruba word "ako," which means "brave warrior" or "valiant one." This suggests that the name may have originally been given as a title or honorific to individuals who displayed exceptional courage and bravery in battle.

The earliest recorded instances of the name "AKO" can be traced back to the 16th century, when it appeared in various records and manuscripts kept by European traders and explorers who ventured into the region. One notable example is found in the journals of a Portuguese explorer, who recounted his encounters with a powerful chief named Ako Adeyemi, who ruled over a prosperous kingdom in the area that is now known as Ilorin.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name "AKO" became more widespread as members of the Yoruba community migrated to other parts of West Africa and beyond, carrying their cultural traditions and surnames with them. Several notable individuals bearing the surname "AKO" emerged during this period, including Ako Bashir (1775-1842), a renowned scholar and Muslim cleric who played a significant role in the spread of Islam in the region.

Another notable figure was Ako Ekundayo (1820-1898), a prominent merchant and landowner who amassed considerable wealth through his trading endeavors. His success and influence earned him the respect of his contemporaries, and his name is still associated with several place names in the area where he lived and worked.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, individuals with the surname "AKO" began to appear in historical records outside of West Africa, as members of the diaspora settled in various parts of the world. For instance, Ako Oluwole (1865-1938) was a pioneering author and educator who played a pivotal role in promoting literacy and education among Africans in the United States.

Another notable figure was Ako Adebowale (1910-1992), a renowned artist and sculptor whose works celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. His sculptures and artworks can be found in various museums and galleries around the world, serving as a testament to his talent and dedication to preserving his cultural legacy.

While the surname "AKO" has its roots in West Africa, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by individuals of Yoruba descent and those who have embraced the cultural significance of the name. Its enduring presence serves as a reminder of the rich history and traditions of the Yoruba people and their contributions to the tapestry of human civilization.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ako surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ako surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Ako a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Ako surname mean?

A Nigerian surname referring to a firstborn male child or an only son in the Yoruba language.

What does the Ako map show?

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