NameCensus.

UK surname

Appiah

A surname of Ghanaian origin meaning "plantain seller".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Appiah surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,254, ranked #4,768, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Appiah is 1,254 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 125300.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

1,254

2016, ranked #4,768

Peak year

2016

1,254 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Appiah had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,254 in 2016, ranked #4,768.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Appiah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Appiah surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Appiah 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 452 #10,034
1998 modern 485 #9,825
1999 modern 501 #9,648
2000 modern 530 #9,211
2001 modern 519 #9,204
2002 modern 639 #8,064
2003 modern 714 #7,261
2004 modern 830 #6,466
2005 modern 909 #5,981
2006 modern 1,001 #5,563
2007 modern 1,063 #5,329
2008 modern 1,126 #5,124
2009 modern 1,151 #5,134
2010 modern 1,214 #4,991
2011 modern 1,162 #5,129
2012 modern 1,135 #5,153
2013 modern 1,179 #5,071
2014 modern 1,207 #4,994
2015 modern 1,214 #4,918
2016 modern 1,254 #4,768

Geography

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Where Appiahs 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 Merton, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Milton Keynes and Croydon. 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 Merton 019 Merton
2 Hackney 016 Hackney
3 Waltham Forest 027 Waltham Forest
4 Milton Keynes 018 Milton Keynes
5 Croydon 020 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Appiah

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Appiah

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

Appiah 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

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

Meaning and origin of Appiah

The surname Appiah is of Akan origin, specifically from the Ashanti people of Ghana, West Africa. Its earliest roots can be traced back to the 17th century when the Ashanti Kingdom was established. The name is derived from the Akan word "appa," meaning "venerable" or "elder," signifying respect and reverence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Appiah surname dates back to the late 17th century, where it appears in historical records from the Ashanti Kingdom. The name is closely associated with the Ashanti people's cultural traditions and their rich oral history.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Appiah name gained prominence among the Ashanti nobility and influential families. Notable figures with this surname include Nana Akua Appiah, a renowned queen mother and advisor to the Ashanti king in the early 19th century, known for her wisdom and diplomacy.

In the 20th century, Appiah became a widely recognized surname beyond the borders of Ghana. Kwame Anthony Appiah (born 1954), a British-Ghanaian philosopher and cultural theorist, is one of the most prominent individuals with this surname. His works have significantly influenced modern discussions on race, identity, and cosmopolitanism.

Another noteworthy individual is Joseph Ephraim Casely-Hayford (1866-1930), a writer, educator, and political activist from Ghana, who played a pivotal role in advocating for African self-governance and education. His mother's maiden name was Appiah.

In contemporary times, the Appiah surname has maintained its significance within the Akan community and has spread across various regions due to migration and diaspora. It continues to be associated with the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Ashanti people.

Throughout its history, the Appiah surname has been closely linked to the Ashanti Kingdom's cultural and political landscape, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Akan people and their contributions to West African history and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Appiah families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Appiah surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 1 Appiahs recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.05x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 1 32.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bothwell in Lanarkshire leads with 1 Appiahs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1250.00x.

Place Total Index
Bothwell 1 1250.00x

FAQ

Appiah surname: questions and answers

How common was the Appiah surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Appiah surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Appiah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,254 in 2016. That gives Appiah a modern rank of #4,768.

What does the Appiah surname mean?

A surname of Ghanaian origin meaning "plantain seller".

What does the Appiah map show?

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