NameCensus.

UK surname

Ekpo

An Efik and Ibibio surname originating from the region of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bromley, Haringey and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ekpo is 106 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

106

2016, ranked #29,927

Peak year

2016

106 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016, ranked #29,927.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ekpo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ekpo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ekpo 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 42 #33,459
1998 modern 38 #34,066
1999 modern 36 #34,323
2000 modern 38 #34,146
2001 modern 38 #34,004
2002 modern 44 #33,790
2003 modern 46 #33,710
2004 modern 64 #32,286
2005 modern 81 #30,740
2006 modern 77 #31,510
2007 modern 75 #32,079
2008 modern 70 #32,856
2009 modern 75 #32,733
2010 modern 97 #30,697
2011 modern 96 #30,721
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 92 #31,909
2014 modern 96 #31,667
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 106 #29,927

Geography

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Where Ekpos 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 Bromley, Haringey, Southwark and Sheffield. 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 Bromley 010 Bromley
2 Bromley 028 Bromley
3 Haringey 031 Haringey
4 Southwark 011 Southwark
5 Sheffield 006 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ekpo

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ekpo

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

Ekpo 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

Ekpo 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 Ekpo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Ekpo

The surname EKPO is believed to have originated from the Efik people of Cross River State, Nigeria. It is an indigenous African name that traces its roots back to the 17th century when European traders and missionaries first arrived in the region.

EKPO is derived from the Efik word "ekpor" which means "wealth" or "riches". It is believed that the name was originally given to individuals or families who were considered prosperous or affluent within their communities. The Efik people are known for their rich cultural heritage and their involvement in the historic slave trade and palm oil trade with European merchants.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname EKPO can be found in the journal of a Dutch trader named Jan Huygen van Linschoten, who visited the Efik region in the late 16th century. He made note of an Efik chief named "Ekpo Okon" who controlled the trade routes in the area.

Another notable early reference to the name EKPO comes from the writings of the Scottish explorer and missionary, Mary Slessor, who lived and worked among the Efik people in the late 19th century. She mentions an Efik chief named "Ekpo Ndem" who was a powerful figure in the region.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the surname EKPO was Ekpo Edem (1820-1890), a prominent Efik merchant and trader who played a significant role in the palm oil trade with European merchants in the 19th century.

Another notable figure was Ekpo Inyang (1850-1925), an Efik chief and political leader who was instrumental in negotiating treaties with the British colonial authorities in the late 19th century.

In more recent history, some famous individuals with the surname EKPO include: - Ekpo Utip Bassey (1900-1980), a Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as the first Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. - Ekpo Nta (1920-2001), a Nigerian academic and writer who was a pioneer in the field of African literature. - Ekpo Eyo (1936-2021), a renowned Nigerian archaeologist and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Nigerian art and culture. - Ekpo Esito (1945-2020), a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who was a prominent figure in the oil and gas industry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ekpo surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ekpo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016. That gives Ekpo a modern rank of #29,927.

What does the Ekpo surname mean?

An Efik and Ibibio surname originating from the region of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria.

What does the Ekpo map show?

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