NameCensus.

UK surname

Bonsu

A Ghanaian surname meaning "one who helps" or "shepherd" in the Akan language.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waltham Forest, Milton Keynes and Camden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bonsu is 577 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

577

2016, ranked #8,974

Peak year

2016

577 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 577 in 2016, ranked #8,974.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Bonsu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bonsu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bonsu 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
1851 historical 1 #33,412
1861 historical 4 #33,628
1997 modern 188 #18,324
1998 modern 190 #18,687
1999 modern 215 #17,425
2000 modern 228 #16,743
2001 modern 229 #16,467
2002 modern 294 #14,180
2003 modern 330 #12,971
2004 modern 372 #11,886
2005 modern 407 #11,041
2006 modern 429 #10,645
2007 modern 467 #10,053
2008 modern 463 #10,204
2009 modern 508 #9,733
2010 modern 540 #9,491
2011 modern 516 #9,731
2012 modern 496 #9,921
2013 modern 540 #9,483
2014 modern 561 #9,242
2015 modern 563 #9,130
2016 modern 577 #8,974

Geography

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Where Bonsus 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 Waltham Forest, Milton Keynes 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 Waltham Forest 020 Waltham Forest
2 Waltham Forest 006 Waltham Forest
3 Milton Keynes 018 Milton Keynes
4 Waltham Forest 009 Waltham Forest
5 Camden 013 Camden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bonsu

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

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

Bonsu 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bonsu

The surname BONSU originated in the Akan regions of present-day Ghana, West Africa. It is derived from the Akan words "bon" meaning "to summon" and "su" meaning "spirit" or "soul". Thus, BONSU essentially means "one who summons spirits" or "summoner of souls".

During the pre-colonial period in Ghana, the BONSU name was prominent among traditional spiritual leaders, including priests, diviners, and healers who communicated with the spiritual realm. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 16th century when it appeared in oral histories and traditions passed down through generations.

One notable BONSU figure was Nana Bonsu Panyin, a renowned spiritual leader and advisor to the Asante King Osei Tutu I in the late 17th century. He played a crucial role in the formation of the powerful Asante Empire, guiding the king through spiritual rituals and divination.

In the 18th century, the BONSU name gained prominence in the Akuapem region of Ghana. Opoku Bonsu, a distinguished chief and diplomat, was instrumental in negotiating peace treaties between the Akuapem and the neighboring Akyem people, resolving long-standing conflicts.

Another prominent BONSU was Kwasi Bonsu, a renowned herbalist and healer who lived in the early 19th century. His extensive knowledge of traditional medicine and spiritual practices earned him widespread respect across the Akan territories.

During the colonial era, the BONSU name continued to be associated with spiritual leadership and traditional practices. However, as Christianity and Western education spread, many BONSU families adopted new professions while maintaining their cultural heritage.

One such figure was Kwame Bonsu, born in 1892, who became a prominent educator and advocate for African education. He established several schools in the Akan regions, promoting the importance of preserving cultural traditions while embracing modern learning.

In more recent times, the BONSU name has continued to be represented in various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts. Akosua Bonsu, born in 1935, was a celebrated Ghanaian writer and poet whose works explored the rich cultural tapestry of the Akan people.

The BONSU surname has endured through the centuries, carrying the legacy of spiritual wisdom, leadership, and a deep connection to the cultural heritage of the Akan people in Ghana.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Bonsu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Bonsu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 577 in 2016. That gives Bonsu a modern rank of #8,974.

What does the Bonsu surname mean?

A Ghanaian surname meaning "one who helps" or "shepherd" in the Akan language.

What does the Bonsu map show?

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