NameCensus.

UK surname

Folarin

A Yoruba surname with origins meaning "intrinsic worth" or "embodiment of wealth."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redbridge, Greenwich and Bexley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Folarin is 178 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

158

2016, ranked #22,904

Peak year

2012

178 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016, ranked #22,904.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Folarin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Folarin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Folarin 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 3 #33,861
1997 modern 71 #30,521
1998 modern 82 #29,754
1999 modern 77 #30,427
2000 modern 83 #29,809
2001 modern 87 #29,161
2002 modern 97 #28,383
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 118 #25,301
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 144 #22,804
2008 modern 163 #21,238
2009 modern 171 #21,024
2010 modern 175 #21,186
2011 modern 176 #20,957
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 173 #21,486
2014 modern 175 #21,477
2015 modern 157 #22,997
2016 modern 158 #22,904

Geography

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Where Folarins 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 Redbridge, Greenwich, Bexley and Westminster. 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 Redbridge 020 Redbridge
2 Greenwich 003 Greenwich
3 Bexley 001 Bexley
4 Greenwich 011 Greenwich
5 Westminster 021 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Folarin

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

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

Folarin 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

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

Meaning and origin of Folarin

The surname Folarin has its origins in the Yoruba language of southwestern Nigeria. It is a compound name derived from the Yoruba words "Fol" meaning "to revere" or "to honor" and "Arin" meaning "respect" or "reverence". Together, the name Folarin can be interpreted to mean "one who is revered" or "one who is honored".

Historically, the name Folarin was first documented in the 16th century during the reign of the Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba kingdom that dominated present-day southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin Republic. The name was borne by prominent families and individuals who held positions of authority and respect within the Empire's social and political structure.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name Folarin was Oba Folarin Okunkale, who ruled the Oyo Empire from 1554 to 1572. He was known for his wisdom, diplomatic skills, and efforts to maintain peace and stability within the Empire.

Another notable figure with the surname Folarin was Folarin Oyelami, a renowned warrior and military commander who lived in the 17th century. He played a crucial role in the expansion and defense of the Oyo Empire's territories during his time.

In the 18th century, the name Folarin appeared in the records of the Iyo Ilare, a historical manuscript documenting the history and traditions of the Yoruba people. This manuscript mentions a prominent family bearing the surname Folarin, who were respected for their contributions to the community.

In the 19th century, Chief Folarin Ogunlola was a respected leader and statesman in the Ibadan region of present-day Oyo State, Nigeria. He was instrumental in negotiating peace treaties and resolving conflicts between various Yoruba communities during a period of political turmoil.

Another notable individual with the surname Folarin was Folarin Coker, a respected educator and author who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He wrote extensively on Yoruba history, culture, and traditions, making significant contributions to the preservation of Yoruba heritage.

Over the centuries, the surname Folarin has spread beyond its origins in southwestern Nigeria and can now be found in various parts of the world, particularly among individuals of Yoruba descent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Folarin surname: questions and answers

How common is the Folarin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016. That gives Folarin a modern rank of #22,904.

What does the Folarin surname mean?

A Yoruba surname with origins meaning "intrinsic worth" or "embodiment of wealth."

What does the Folarin map show?

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