NameCensus.

UK surname

Donkor

An occupational surname of Ghanaian origin meaning "drummer."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Donkor is 522 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

475

2016, ranked #10,375

Peak year

2010

522 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 475 in 2016, ranked #10,375.
  • 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.

Donkor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Donkor surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Donkor 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 201 #17,564
1998 modern 210 #17,600
1999 modern 223 #17,025
2000 modern 225 #16,891
2001 modern 225 #16,664
2002 modern 278 #14,726
2003 modern 310 #13,522
2004 modern 353 #12,377
2005 modern 381 #11,619
2006 modern 401 #11,237
2007 modern 429 #10,747
2008 modern 455 #10,319
2009 modern 494 #9,953
2010 modern 522 #9,739
2011 modern 494 #10,042
2012 modern 461 #10,482
2013 modern 465 #10,569
2014 modern 465 #10,628
2015 modern 465 #10,572
2016 modern 475 #10,375

Geography

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Where Donkors 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 Milton Keynes, Lewisham, Newham, Croydon and Lambeth. 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 Milton Keynes 018 Milton Keynes
2 Lewisham 027 Lewisham
3 Newham 024 Newham
4 Croydon 005 Croydon
5 Lambeth 022 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Donkor

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Donkor

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

Donkor 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

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

Meaning and origin of Donkor

The surname DONKOR has its origins in the Akan people of Ghana in West Africa. The name is derived from the word "donko" which means "elephant" in the Akan language of Twi. It is likely that the name was originally given as a nickname or descriptive name to someone associated with elephants or who possessed elephant-like qualities.

The earliest recorded instances of the DONKOR surname can be traced back to the 17th century in parts of the Ashanti region and the former Gold Coast colony of modern-day Ghana. Some variations in spelling include Donkoh, Donkor, and Donkur, reflecting regional dialects and European transcription differences.

One of the earliest known individuals with the DONKOR surname was Kwame Donkor, a respected chief and military leader from the Akwamu Kingdom who lived in the late 17th century. He played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Akwamu Empire and was renowned for his strategic prowess in battles against the Akyem and Asante confederacies.

Another notable figure in history was Kofi Donkor, a prominent merchant and trader from the Fante region in the 18th century. He was instrumental in facilitating trade between the coastal regions and the interior Ashanti Kingdom, dealing in goods such as gold, ivory, and agricultural products.

In the 19th century, Yaa Donkor was a renowned traditional healer and herbalist from the Akuapem area. She was highly respected for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and her ability to treat various ailments using natural remedies.

During the early 20th century, Kwasi Donkor was a pioneering educator who established one of the first schools in the Akwapim Hills region. He was dedicated to promoting education and literacy among the local communities, paving the way for future generations to receive formal education.

More recently, in the latter half of the 20th century, Ama Ata Aidoo, a prominent Ghanaian author and playwright, was born Ama Ata Donkor in 1942. Her literary works, which explore themes of African feminism and post-colonial identity, have received international acclaim and recognition.

The DONKOR surname continues to be prevalent among the Akan people of Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti, Akuapem, and Fante regions, reflecting its deep-rooted history and cultural significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Donkor surname: questions and answers

How common is the Donkor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 475 in 2016. That gives Donkor a modern rank of #10,375.

What does the Donkor surname mean?

An occupational surname of Ghanaian origin meaning "drummer."

What does the Donkor map show?

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