NameCensus.

UK surname

Bojang

A Gambian surname likely derived from the Mandinka root "bo" meaning "teacher" or "leader".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bojang is 313 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

310

2016, ranked #14,406

Peak year

2015

313 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016, ranked #14,406.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Bojang surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bojang surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bojang 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 44 #33,275
1998 modern 62 #31,735
1999 modern 69 #31,223
2000 modern 78 #30,361
2001 modern 81 #29,828
2002 modern 97 #28,383
2003 modern 102 #27,383
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 144 #22,367
2006 modern 163 #20,789
2007 modern 178 #19,887
2008 modern 196 #18,895
2009 modern 228 #17,486
2010 modern 250 #16,791
2011 modern 237 #17,235
2012 modern 273 #15,546
2013 modern 279 #15,574
2014 modern 309 #14,533
2015 modern 313 #14,313
2016 modern 310 #14,406

Geography

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Where Bojangs 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 Barnet, Birmingham, Wandsworth, South Oxfordshire and Crawley. 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 Barnet 012 Barnet
2 Birmingham 134 Birmingham
3 Wandsworth 034 Wandsworth
4 South Oxfordshire 017 South Oxfordshire
5 Crawley 012 Crawley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bojang

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bojang

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bojang is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bojang 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bojang

The surname BOJANG originated from the West African country of Gambia, with its roots tracing back to the early 18th century. It is believed to have derived from the Mandinka word "bojang," which translates to "one who makes or sells knives." This suggests that the name's earliest bearers were likely skilled blacksmiths or traders specializing in bladed weaponry and tools.

Historical records indicate that the name BOJANG first appeared in written documents during the late 1700s, primarily in regional censuses and village registries maintained by British colonial authorities in the Gambian hinterlands. One of the earliest known mentions of the name can be found in a 1782 tax register from the town of Brikama, where a certain Alagie BOJANG is listed as a landowner and tradesman.

As the centuries progressed, the BOJANG name gradually spread across Gambia and neighboring regions of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, carried by families engaged in various occupations, from farming and fishing to commerce and artisanry. Notable individuals bearing the BOJANG surname include Alhaji Momodu BOJANG (1858-1932), a renowned Islamic scholar and spiritual leader who established several Quranic schools in the Gambian interior.

Another prominent figure was Alhaji Ibrahima BOJANG (1905-1986), a influential merchant and landowner who played a pivotal role in the development of the groundnut trade in Gambia during the early 20th century. His entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropy left a lasting impact on the country's economic and cultural landscape.

In more recent times, Fatou BOJANG (born 1942) has gained recognition as a celebrated Gambian writer and activist, known for her works that explore themes of gender, tradition, and societal change in West Africa. Her poignant narratives have earned her numerous literary accolades and a place among the region's most influential voices.

The BOJANG surname has also made its mark in the realm of sports, with Biri BOJANG (born 1978) achieving international acclaim as a professional football player. During his career, he represented the Gambian national team and played for several clubs across Europe, including stints in England, Sweden, and Norway.

While the name BOJANG has its roots firmly planted in the cultural and historical soil of Gambia, its widespread diaspora has carried it across continents, with individuals bearing this surname now residing in various parts of the world, from North America to Europe and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Bojang surname: questions and answers

How common is the Bojang surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016. That gives Bojang a modern rank of #14,406.

What does the Bojang surname mean?

A Gambian surname likely derived from the Mandinka root "bo" meaning "teacher" or "leader".

What does the Bojang map show?

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