NameCensus.

UK surname

Awale

A surname potentially derived from the Arabic word "awal" meaning "first" or "beginning."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Ealing and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Awale is 153 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

153

2016, ranked #23,408

Peak year

2016

153 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016, ranked #23,408.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Awale surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Awale surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Awale 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1997 modern 10 #37,060
1998 modern 15 #36,457
1999 modern 16 #36,371
2000 modern 14 #36,522
2001 modern 17 #36,053
2002 modern 28 #35,139
2003 modern 34 #34,681
2004 modern 46 #33,883
2005 modern 55 #33,349
2006 modern 71 #32,147
2007 modern 75 #32,079
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 106 #28,666
2010 modern 129 #25,900
2011 modern 124 #26,367
2012 modern 141 #24,258
2013 modern 150 #23,653
2014 modern 152 #23,631
2015 modern 148 #23,934
2016 modern 153 #23,408

Geography

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Where Awales 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 Leicester, Ealing and Birmingham. 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 Leicester 027 Leicester
2 Ealing 018 Ealing
3 Birmingham 084 Birmingham
4 Birmingham 052 Birmingham
5 Birmingham 077 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Awale

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

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

Awale 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

Awale falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Awale 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
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Awale, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Awale

The surname AWALE is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically in the present-day countries of Senegal and Gambia. It is thought to have derived from the Wolof language, one of the most widely spoken languages in the region. The Wolof word "awal" means "to rise" or "to ascend," suggesting that the name AWALE may have been associated with individuals who were considered to be of high status or rank within their communities.

Historically, the earliest records of the name AWALE can be traced back to the 16th century, when the region was part of the powerful Wolof Empire. During this period, the name appeared in various manuscripts and documents, often associated with prominent figures within the empire's ruling class or among the influential families of the time.

One notable individual bearing the surname AWALE was Bior Awale, a revered military leader and strategist who served under the Wolof ruler Brak Sine in the late 16th century. Bior Awale was renowned for his tactical genius and played a crucial role in several victories against rival kingdoms.

In the 18th century, the AWALE name gained further prominence when Alioune Awale, a distinguished scholar and diplomat, represented the Wolof Empire in negotiations with European powers. Born in 1725 and known for his linguistic abilities, Alioune Awale facilitated important trade agreements and fostered cultural exchange between the empire and foreign nations.

As the Wolof Empire declined in the 19th century, many individuals bearing the surname AWALE migrated to other parts of West Africa, including present-day Senegal and Gambia. In Senegal, the name became particularly associated with the Serer ethnic group, with several notable figures emerging from this community.

One such individual was Demba Awale (1880-1954), a prominent Serer leader and advocate for education. Demba Awale played a pivotal role in establishing schools and promoting literacy in his region, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of education.

Another notable figure was Fatou Awale (1915-1992), a renowned artist and cultural preservationist. Fatou Awale dedicated her life to reviving and promoting traditional Serer art forms, including textile weaving, pottery, and basketry. Her contributions helped to safeguard and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of her community.

While the name AWALE has historical roots in West Africa, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to be associated with individuals of Wolof and Serer descent, carrying the legacy of a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of identity.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Awale surname: questions and answers

How common is the Awale surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016. That gives Awale a modern rank of #23,408.

What does the Awale surname mean?

A surname potentially derived from the Arabic word "awal" meaning "first" or "beginning."

What does the Awale map show?

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