NameCensus.

UK surname

Fofana

A surname of Malian origin meaning "warrior" or "soldier."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fofana is 272 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

272

2016, ranked #15,832

Peak year

2016

272 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 272 in 2016, ranked #15,832.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Fofana surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fofana surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fofana 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 31 #34,582
1998 modern 38 #34,066
1999 modern 46 #33,424
2000 modern 42 #33,791
2001 modern 46 #33,311
2002 modern 61 #32,286
2003 modern 77 #30,762
2004 modern 106 #27,045
2005 modern 135 #23,297
2006 modern 125 #24,611
2007 modern 133 #24,059
2008 modern 138 #23,763
2009 modern 163 #21,715
2010 modern 218 #18,375
2011 modern 207 #18,841
2012 modern 229 #17,537
2013 modern 238 #17,354
2014 modern 258 #16,554
2015 modern 265 #16,139
2016 modern 272 #15,832

Geography

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Where Fofanas 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 Southwark, Lambeth, Merton, Liverpool and Cardiff. 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 Southwark 021 Southwark
2 Lambeth 004 Lambeth
3 Merton 002 Merton
4 Liverpool 029 Liverpool
5 Cardiff 042 Cardiff

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fofana

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Fofana surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Fofana 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Fofana 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

Fofana 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

Fofana falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fofana 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 Fofana, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Fofana

The surname FOFANA is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically in the region now known as Guinea. It is thought to have derived from the Malinke language, spoken by the Malinke ethnic group, which is one of the largest ethnic groups in Guinea.

The name FOFANA is likely to have roots in the Malinke word "fofana," which means "to be proud" or "to be arrogant." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who displayed these traits or had a reputation for being proud or arrogant.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name FOFANA can be found in the written records of the Mali Empire, a powerful West African empire that existed from the 13th to the 17th century. The Mali Empire was renowned for its wealth, trade routes, and cultural achievements, and it is likely that the name FOFANA was present among the noble families or traders associated with the empire.

In the 18th century, during the height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, many Africans were forcibly taken from their homelands and transported to the Americas. It is possible that some individuals bearing the surname FOFANA were among those who were enslaved and brought to the Caribbean islands or the Americas, where their descendants may have carried on the name.

One notable historical figure with the surname FOFANA was Samba Fofana, a renowned Malinke warrior and military leader who lived in the 16th century. He is known for his exploits in defending the Mali Empire against invading forces and for his role in preserving the empire's cultural heritage.

Another significant figure was Fanta Fofana, a Guinean author and playwright who lived in the 20th century (1922-2008). She was a prominent figure in the Guinean literary scene and made significant contributions to the promotion of Guinean culture and literature.

Mamadou Fofana (1937-2020) was a Guinean politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea from 1972 to 1984. He played a crucial role in shaping Guinea's foreign policy during a tumultuous period in the country's history.

In the realm of sports, Ibrahima Fofana (born 1985) is a Guinean professional footballer who has played for several clubs in Europe, including Udinese and Bastia. He has also represented the Guinean national team.

Lastly, Ousmane Fofana (born 1993) is a French professional footballer of Malian descent who currently plays as a midfielder for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League. He has also represented the French national team at various youth levels.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Fofana surname: questions and answers

How common is the Fofana surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 272 in 2016. That gives Fofana a modern rank of #15,832.

What does the Fofana surname mean?

A surname of Malian origin meaning "warrior" or "soldier."

What does the Fofana map show?

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