NameCensus.

UK surname

Awuah

A surname of West African origin, possibly derived from an Akan language.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Awuah is 167 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

167

2016, ranked #22,055

Peak year

2016

167 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 167 in 2016, ranked #22,055.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Awuah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Awuah surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Awuah 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 58 #31,831
1998 modern 56 #32,313
1999 modern 57 #32,367
2000 modern 56 #32,514
2001 modern 54 #32,583
2002 modern 76 #30,830
2003 modern 87 #29,615
2004 modern 98 #28,297
2005 modern 103 #27,531
2006 modern 118 #25,556
2007 modern 134 #23,931
2008 modern 143 #23,160
2009 modern 156 #22,351
2010 modern 160 #22,487
2011 modern 151 #23,204
2012 modern 129 #25,705
2013 modern 144 #24,323
2014 modern 153 #23,537
2015 modern 158 #22,913
2016 modern 167 #22,055

Geography

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Where Awuahs 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 Lambeth, Barnet, Enfield and Hammersmith and Fulham. 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 Lambeth 024 Lambeth
2 Lambeth 011 Lambeth
3 Barnet 018 Barnet
4 Enfield 003 Enfield
5 Hammersmith and Fulham 021 Hammersmith and Fulham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Awuah

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Awuah

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

Awuah 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

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

Meaning and origin of Awuah

The surname AWUAH is of Ghanaian origin, tracing its roots back to the Akan people of West Africa. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th or 17th century, during the height of the great Ashanti Empire.

One of the earliest known references to the name AWUAH can be found in the historical records of the Ashanti Kingdom, where it was mentioned as the surname of a prominent warrior and advisor to the Ashanti King in the late 1600s. This individual, whose first name has been lost to history, was known for his bravery and strategic acumen in battles against rival tribes.

The name AWUAH is thought to be derived from the Akan word "awua," which roughly translates to "hunter" or "one who seeks." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have originally been associated with those skilled in hunting or tracking, a valuable skill in the ancient Ashanti society.

In the 19th century, a notable figure bearing the AWUAH surname was Kwasi Awuah, a respected chief and diplomat who played a crucial role in negotiating treaties between the Ashanti Kingdom and the British colonial authorities. Kwasi Awuah was born in 1825 and died in 1892, and his legacy as a skilled negotiator and peacekeeper lives on in the historical records of that era.

Another prominent individual with the AWUAH surname was Yaa Awuah, a renowned traditional healer and herbalist who lived in the late 18th century. Her expertise in traditional Akan medicine and her compassionate nature made her a respected figure in her community, and her teachings were passed down through generations of AWUAH family members.

In more recent times, one of the most well-known individuals with the AWUAH surname was Kwame Awuah, a Ghanaian politician and diplomat who served as the country's ambassador to several nations, including the United States, in the latter half of the 20th century. Kwame Awuah was born in 1920 and passed away in 2005, leaving behind a legacy of service to his country and contributions to international relations.

Throughout history, the AWUAH surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including warriors, chiefs, healers, diplomats, and political figures. While the name's origins can be traced back to the Akan people of Ghana, its impact and influence have extended far beyond the borders of that region, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and significance of this West African surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Awuah surname: questions and answers

How common is the Awuah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 167 in 2016. That gives Awuah a modern rank of #22,055.

What does the Awuah surname mean?

A surname of West African origin, possibly derived from an Akan language.

What does the Awuah map show?

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