NameCensus.

UK surname

Ayodele

A Yoruba surname meaning "the joy of our wealth has arrived".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ayodele is 327 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

280

2016, ranked #15,491

Peak year

2010

327 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 280 in 2016, ranked #15,491.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ayodele surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ayodele surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ayodele 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 99 #27,039
1998 modern 111 #25,990
1999 modern 124 #24,508
2000 modern 119 #25,072
2001 modern 117 #24,974
2002 modern 161 #20,925
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 217 #17,276
2005 modern 247 #15,763
2006 modern 264 #15,170
2007 modern 293 #14,272
2008 modern 305 #13,979
2009 modern 295 #14,594
2010 modern 327 #13,889
2011 modern 307 #14,386
2012 modern 267 #15,791
2013 modern 289 #15,142
2014 modern 294 #15,047
2015 modern 283 #15,380
2016 modern 280 #15,491

Geography

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Where Ayodeles 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 Bexley, Greenwich, Southwark 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 Bexley 002 Bexley
2 Greenwich 034 Greenwich
3 Southwark 018 Southwark
4 Hackney 013 Hackney
5 Greenwich 004 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ayodele

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ayodele

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

Ayodele 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ayodele

The surname Ayodele originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two Yoruba words: "ayo," meaning joy or happiness, and "dele," meaning to arrive or come from. The name dates back several centuries and can be roughly translated to mean "joy has arrived" or "happiness has come."

The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage, and their naming traditions often reflect their values and beliefs. The name Ayodele was likely given to children born during times of celebration or after a period of hardship, signifying the joy and happiness brought by their arrival.

While there are no definitive historical records indicating the exact origin of the name Ayodele, it is believed to have been in use among the Yoruba people for several centuries. Some of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in certain Yoruba oral traditions and folktales passed down through generations.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Ayodele was Ayodele Ogunlesi, a prominent Nigerian educator and civil servant who lived from 1897 to 1983. He played a pivotal role in establishing several educational institutions in Nigeria and was a strong advocate for the promotion of Yoruba language and culture.

Another notable figure was Ayodele Awojobi (1936-2020), a renowned Nigerian artist and sculptor whose works were heavily influenced by Yoruba cultural themes and motifs. His sculptures and installations can be found in various museums and galleries around the world, celebrating the rich artistic heritage of the Yoruba people.

In the realm of sports, Ayodele Adeleye (born 1976) is a former Nigerian footballer who played professionally in several countries, including Nigeria, Denmark, and Sweden. He was a key member of the Nigerian national team and participated in the 2000 and 2004 African Cup of Nations tournaments.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Ayodele is Ayodele Olukoju (born 1958), a Nigerian academic and historian who has made significant contributions to the study of maritime history and African diaspora studies. He has authored numerous books and scholarly articles and has held prestigious positions at various universities around the world.

Another individual worth mentioning is Ayodele Akinrinade (born 1954), a Nigerian politician and former military officer who served as the Chief of Army Staff for the Nigerian Armed Forces from 1996 to 1999. He played a crucial role in the transition to democratic rule in Nigeria and has been actively involved in various political and civic organizations.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Ayodele who have made significant contributions in their respective fields and have helped to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ayodele surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ayodele surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 280 in 2016. That gives Ayodele a modern rank of #15,491.

What does the Ayodele surname mean?

A Yoruba surname meaning "the joy of our wealth has arrived".

What does the Ayodele map show?

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