NameCensus.

UK surname

Animashaun

A surname of Nigerian/Yoruba origin meaning "to take on a challenge or adventure."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Animashaun is 279 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

242

2016, ranked #17,177

Peak year

2010

279 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 242 in 2016, ranked #17,177.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Animashaun surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Animashaun surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Animashaun 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 89 #28,490
1998 modern 110 #26,129
1999 modern 118 #25,227
2000 modern 116 #25,452
2001 modern 109 #26,059
2002 modern 122 #24,874
2003 modern 130 #23,672
2004 modern 153 #21,528
2005 modern 177 #19,598
2006 modern 220 #17,204
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 267 #15,349
2009 modern 272 #15,475
2010 modern 279 #15,529
2011 modern 248 #16,735
2012 modern 260 #16,090
2013 modern 250 #16,778
2014 modern 253 #16,774
2015 modern 250 #16,803
2016 modern 242 #17,177

Geography

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Where Animashauns 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 Kensington and Chelsea, Southwark, Greenwich and Hackney. 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 Kensington and Chelsea 009 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Southwark 015 Southwark
3 Southwark 018 Southwark
4 Greenwich 011 Greenwich
5 Hackney 010 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Animashaun

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

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

Animashaun 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

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

Meaning and origin of Animashaun

The surname ANIMASHAUN has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the Yoruba ethnic group of present-day Nigeria. It dates back to the 16th century and is derived from the Yoruba words "anima" meaning "animal" and "shaun" meaning "hunter" or "warrior".

The name likely originated as a descriptive epithet given to a skilled hunter or warrior who was renowned for his prowess in tracking and hunting animals. It may have been initially bestowed as a nickname or title of honor before becoming a hereditary surname.

In the 17th century, the ANIMASHAUN name is found in some historical records and manuscripts documenting the activities and lineages of prominent Yoruba families and clans. One notable mention is in the "Iwe Itan Oyo" (History of Oyo), a chronicle of the Oyo Empire, which refers to an ANIMASHAUN warrior who fought in the Battle of Iperu in 1625.

The earliest recorded individual with the ANIMASHAUN surname was Oluwole ANIMASHAUN, a Yoruba chief and landowner who lived in the town of Ibadan in the late 17th century. Another early bearer of the name was Adeyemi ANIMASHAUN, a renowned hunter and trader who was active in the Ijebu region in the early 18th century.

In the 19th century, the ANIMASHAUN name gained further prominence with the rise of Adebayo ANIMASHAUN (1818-1892), a prominent Yoruba chief and landowner in the town of Abeokuta. His son, Olumide ANIMASHAUN (1846-1914), was a respected leader and negotiator who played a crucial role in maintaining peace between the Yoruba and British colonial authorities.

Another notable figure was Oluwafemi ANIMASHAUN (1874-1951), a renowned scholar and linguist who published several works on the Yoruba language and culture. His contributions helped preserve and promote the rich heritage of the Yoruba people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Animashaun surname: questions and answers

How common is the Animashaun surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 242 in 2016. That gives Animashaun a modern rank of #17,177.

What does the Animashaun surname mean?

A surname of Nigerian/Yoruba origin meaning "to take on a challenge or adventure."

What does the Animashaun map show?

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