NameCensus.

UK surname

Coulibaly

An occupational surname from the Bambara language meaning "traveler" or "itinerant trader".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coulibaly is 139 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

139

2016, ranked #25,001

Peak year

2016

139 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016, ranked #25,001.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Coulibaly surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Coulibaly surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Coulibaly 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 12 #36,785
1998 modern 20 #35,885
1999 modern 26 #35,320
2000 modern 23 #35,588
2001 modern 23 #35,451
2002 modern 28 #35,139
2003 modern 37 #34,432
2004 modern 54 #33,248
2005 modern 68 #32,097
2006 modern 73 #31,954
2007 modern 79 #31,628
2008 modern 80 #31,833
2009 modern 100 #29,597
2010 modern 114 #28,017
2011 modern 94 #31,016
2012 modern 115 #27,717
2013 modern 123 #26,974
2014 modern 135 #25,581
2015 modern 137 #25,226
2016 modern 139 #25,001

Geography

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Where Coulibalys 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 Tower Hamlets, Leeds, Lambeth, Redbridge and Bexley. 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 Tower Hamlets 021 Tower Hamlets
2 Leeds 042 Leeds
3 Lambeth 009 Lambeth
4 Redbridge 032 Redbridge
5 Bexley 001 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Coulibaly

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Coulibaly

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Coulibaly 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

Coulibaly 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

Coulibaly 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 Coulibaly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

This describes the area pattern most associated with Coulibaly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Coulibaly

The Coulibaly surname originates from the West African nation of Mali, dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Malinke language, with "Kuli" meaning "war" and "baly" meaning "second." The name was initially given to the second son of a warrior or someone skilled in battle.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Coulibaly name appears in a 14th-century manuscript detailing the lineage of the Keita Dynasty, which ruled the Mali Empire. The document mentions a prominent figure named Coulibaly Moussa, who served as a military advisor to the emperor Mansa Musa during his famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324.

In the 16th century, the Coulibaly family played a significant role in the resistance against the Moroccan invasion of the Songhai Empire. A notable figure from this period was Coulibaly Bakary, a skilled strategist and leader who organized a guerrilla campaign against the Moroccan forces.

During the 19th century, the Coulibaly name gained prominence in the Wassoulou region of present-day Mali. This area was known for its rich musical traditions, and several Coulibaly griots (storytellers and musicians) became renowned for their talents. One such individual was Coulibaly Nene, a celebrated singer and kora player who lived from 1820 to 1890.

Another notable figure was Coulibaly Mamadou, a respected Islamic scholar and leader who lived from 1835 to 1905. He played a crucial role in spreading Islam throughout the region and establishing educational institutions.

In the 20th century, the Coulibaly name gained international recognition with individuals like Coulibaly Souleymane, a celebrated novelist and playwright born in 1933. His works explored themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and social justice.

It is worth mentioning that the Coulibaly surname is also found in other West African countries, such as Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, due to migration and cultural exchange within the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Coulibaly surname: questions and answers

How common is the Coulibaly surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016. That gives Coulibaly a modern rank of #25,001.

What does the Coulibaly surname mean?

An occupational surname from the Bambara language meaning "traveler" or "itinerant trader".

What does the Coulibaly map show?

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