NameCensus.

UK surname

Beyene

An Ethiopian surname referring to one's place of origin.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beyene is 127 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

127

2016, ranked #26,566

Peak year

2014

127 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 127 in 2016, ranked #26,566.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Beyene surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beyene surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beyene 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 4 #33,628
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 24 #35,376
1998 modern 30 #34,833
1999 modern 34 #34,528
2000 modern 31 #34,798
2001 modern 26 #35,152
2002 modern 42 #33,951
2003 modern 43 #33,951
2004 modern 51 #33,478
2005 modern 51 #33,701
2006 modern 57 #33,513
2007 modern 78 #31,748
2008 modern 81 #31,713
2009 modern 88 #31,352
2010 modern 101 #30,078
2011 modern 91 #31,442
2012 modern 107 #29,017
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 127 #26,634
2015 modern 124 #26,944
2016 modern 127 #26,566

Geography

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Where Beyenes 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 Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Barnet, Greenwich and Camden. 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 Kensington and Chelsea 005 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Westminster 009 Westminster
3 Barnet 021 Barnet
4 Greenwich 034 Greenwich
5 Camden 018 Camden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beyene

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Beyene surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Beyene 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Beyene 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

Beyene 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

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

Meaning and origin of Beyene

The surname BEYENE has its origins in Ethiopia, tracing back to the 15th century or earlier. It is derived from the Amharic language, spoken in the northern and central regions of the country. The name is believed to be a variation of the word "bey" or "bey-ena," which means "to multiply" or "to increase."

This surname was particularly prominent among the Amhara people, an ethnic group that historically dominated the Ethiopian highlands. It is likely that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals or families known for their prosperity, fertility, or expansive lineages.

In the 16th century, during the reign of the Solomonic dynasty, records mention individuals bearing the BEYENE name as landowners and nobles within the imperial court. One notable figure was Abba Beyene, a influential churchman and advisor to Emperor Zara Yaqob (1434-1468).

The earliest known written reference to the BEYENE surname can be found in the chronicles of the 17th-century Ethiopian philosopher and historian, Alaqa Tawalda Madhin. He documented the exploits of a military commander named Gera Beyene, who played a crucial role in the battles against the Ottoman-backed forces invading the region.

In the 19th century, during the era of the Zemene Mesafint ("Era of Princes"), the BEYENE name was associated with several prominent figures. Ras Beyene Gassahu (1796-1853) was a powerful warlord and ruler of the Yejju province, while Dejjazmach Beyene Gebre (1825-1892) was a renowned military leader and governor of the Wollo region.

Another noteworthy individual was Blatta Beyene Petros (1855-1936), a renowned Ethiopian intellectual, author, and translator who played a significant role in the country's cultural and literary renaissance during the reign of Emperor Menelik II.

In more recent times, the BEYENE surname has been carried by notable individuals such as Dejazmatch Beyene Merid (1897-1971), a respected military leader and governor who served under Emperor Haile Selassie, and Mammo Beyene (1926-2005), a renowned Ethiopian artist and sculptor whose works celebrated the country's cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Beyene surname: questions and answers

How common is the Beyene surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 127 in 2016. That gives Beyene a modern rank of #26,566.

What does the Beyene surname mean?

An Ethiopian surname referring to one's place of origin.

What does the Beyene map show?

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