NameCensus.

UK surname

Ansah

An Akan surname meaning "because of victory".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ansah is 498 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

486

2016, ranked #10,189

Peak year

2010

498 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 486 in 2016, ranked #10,189.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ansah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ansah surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ansah 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 206 #17,315
1998 modern 216 #17,257
1999 modern 205 #17,960
2000 modern 219 #17,195
2001 modern 223 #16,765
2002 modern 272 #14,930
2003 modern 304 #13,685
2004 modern 343 #12,616
2005 modern 355 #12,243
2006 modern 368 #11,990
2007 modern 403 #11,315
2008 modern 423 #10,975
2009 modern 471 #10,304
2010 modern 498 #10,091
2011 modern 467 #10,474
2012 modern 449 #10,675
2013 modern 453 #10,774
2014 modern 474 #10,486
2015 modern 469 #10,500
2016 modern 486 #10,189

Geography

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Where Ansahs 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, Wandsworth, Newham and Haringey. 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 016 Hackney
2 Wandsworth 026 Wandsworth
3 Newham 006 Newham
4 Haringey 004 Haringey
5 Newham 020 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ansah

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ansah

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Ansah is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ansah 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ansah

The surname ANSAH originates from the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa. It is believed to have emerged around the 16th century, when the Akan kingdoms were flourishing in the region. The name is derived from the Akan word "ansah," which means "remaining" or "leftover."

In the early days, the name was likely given to children born after a period of hardship or famine, symbolizing their survival and the endurance of the family lineage. The Akan people have a rich oral tradition, and it's possible that the name ANSAH appeared in folktales or proverbs passed down through generations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name ANSAH can be found in the chronicles of the Ashanti Empire, a powerful Akan kingdom that dominated present-day Ghana in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Ashanti kept detailed records of their rulers and notable figures, and it is likely that individuals bearing the name ANSAH were mentioned in these historical documents.

During the colonial era, the name ANSAH was documented by European travelers and administrators who encountered the Akan people. Some of these records may have included variations in spelling, such as "Ansa" or "Ansar," reflecting the difficulties in transcribing African names into European languages.

In modern times, notable individuals with the surname ANSAH include:

1. Azumah Nelson (born 1958), a former professional boxer from Ghana who held multiple world titles in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions. 2. Samuel Ansah (born 1983), a Ghanaian professional footballer who has played for clubs in Ghana, South Africa, and Sweden. 3. Nana Adjei Ansah (1922-1996), a Ghanaian politician and diplomat who served as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the United States. 4. Kwaku Ansah (born 1956), a Ghanaian filmmaker and director known for his critically acclaimed movies exploring social and political issues in Ghana. 5. Akosua Adjei Ansah (1920-2010), a Ghanaian educator and activist who played a significant role in promoting women's education and empowerment in Ghana.

While the surname ANSAH has its roots in the Akan culture of Ghana, it has spread across the globe through migration and diaspora communities. Today, individuals with this name can be found in various parts of the world, carrying on the legacy of their Akan heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ansah surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ansah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 486 in 2016. That gives Ansah a modern rank of #10,189.

What does the Ansah surname mean?

An Akan surname meaning "because of victory".

What does the Ansah map show?

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