NameCensus.

UK surname

Danso

A Ghanaian surname derived from the Akan "danso" meaning "courageous lion".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Danso is 416 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

416

2016, ranked #11,533

Peak year

2016

416 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 416 in 2016, ranked #11,533.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Danso surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Danso surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Danso 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
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 137 #22,301
1998 modern 153 #21,387
1999 modern 150 #21,826
2000 modern 156 #21,235
2001 modern 150 #21,482
2002 modern 187 #19,083
2003 modern 217 #17,176
2004 modern 245 #15,894
2005 modern 284 #14,306
2006 modern 319 #13,318
2007 modern 340 #12,872
2008 modern 362 #12,384
2009 modern 391 #11,925
2010 modern 406 #11,847
2011 modern 375 #12,438
2012 modern 361 #12,647
2013 modern 391 #12,123
2014 modern 404 #11,906
2015 modern 400 #11,909
2016 modern 416 #11,533

Geography

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Where Dansos 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, Haringey, Lambeth and Southwark. 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 027 Waltham Forest
2 Milton Keynes 014 Milton Keynes
3 Haringey 002 Haringey
4 Lambeth 023 Lambeth
5 Southwark 002 Southwark

Forenames

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First names often paired with Danso

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

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

Danso 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

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

Meaning and origin of Danso

The surname Danso has its roots in the West African nation of Ghana, specifically in the Akan language spoken by the Ashanti people. The name is believed to have originated during the 17th century, when the Ashanti Empire was at its peak.

Danso is a combination of two Akan words – "dan" meaning "to be born" and "so" meaning "to lead or guide." Together, the name can be interpreted as "born to lead" or "guiding birth," suggesting it may have been given to individuals who held positions of leadership or had a role in assisting with childbirth.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Danso can be found in the records of the Ashanti Kingdom, where a chief named Danso Adu ruled the town of Kumasi in the late 1600s. He was renowned for his diplomatic skills and played a crucial role in maintaining peace between the Ashanti and neighboring tribes.

In the 19th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Danso was Kwasi Danso, a skilled trader who established trade routes between the Ashanti Empire and coastal regions. His business acumen and negotiation abilities earned him a reputation as a formidable entrepreneur.

Another prominent individual with the Danso surname was Yaa Danso, a renowned storyteller and oral historian who lived in the early 20th century. She was celebrated for her ability to preserve and pass down the rich cultural traditions and folktales of the Ashanti people.

In more recent times, Kwame Danso (1939-2018) was a respected academic and author who extensively researched and documented the history and customs of the Akan people. His works have been invaluable in understanding the cultural heritage of Ghana.

Lastly, Akosua Danso (born 1976) is a contemporary Ghanaian artist whose vibrant paintings and sculptures explore themes of identity, spirituality, and the African diaspora. Her works have been exhibited in galleries across the world, showcasing the enduring legacy of the Danso name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Danso surname: questions and answers

How common is the Danso surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 416 in 2016. That gives Danso a modern rank of #11,533.

What does the Danso surname mean?

A Ghanaian surname derived from the Akan "danso" meaning "courageous lion".

What does the Danso map show?

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