NameCensus.

UK surname

Giwa

Of African origin, this surname could refer to a prominent or wealthy person.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Giwa is 334 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

283

2016, ranked #15,359

Peak year

2010

334 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 283 in 2016, ranked #15,359.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Giwa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Giwa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Giwa 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 122 #23,917
1998 modern 132 #23,394
1999 modern 138 #22,983
2000 modern 155 #21,341
2001 modern 159 #20,710
2002 modern 179 #19,598
2003 modern 189 #18,738
2004 modern 210 #17,644
2005 modern 242 #15,987
2006 modern 260 #15,329
2007 modern 272 #14,994
2008 modern 295 #14,303
2009 modern 301 #14,386
2010 modern 334 #13,690
2011 modern 312 #14,230
2012 modern 269 #15,706
2013 modern 292 #15,027
2014 modern 282 #15,537
2015 modern 274 #15,749
2016 modern 283 #15,359

Geography

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Where Giwas 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 Lambeth, Bedford, Bexley 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 Lambeth 018 Lambeth
2 Bedford 015 Bedford
3 Bexley 008 Bexley
4 Southwark 010 Southwark
5 Southwark 016 Southwark

Forenames

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First names often paired with Giwa

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Giwa

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Giwa, 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 Giwa surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Giwa 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, Giwa 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

Giwa 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

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

Meaning and origin of Giwa

The surname GIWA is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Yoruba ethnic group. It is believed to have originated in the 16th century or earlier, during the height of the Oyo Empire in present-day southwestern Nigeria.

The name GIWA is thought to be derived from the Yoruba word "giwa," which means "elephant tusk." This could suggest that the earliest bearers of this surname were involved in the ivory trade or had some connection to elephants or their tusks.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name GIWA can be found in the oral histories and traditions of the Yoruba people, which were passed down through generations of griots and storytellers. These oral traditions often mentioned individuals with the surname GIWA, indicating that the name was well-established and respected within Yoruba society.

In the 18th century, the name GIWA appeared in written records kept by European traders and explorers who had interactions with the Oyo Empire and other Yoruba kingdoms. These records sometimes included mentions of individuals or families with the surname GIWA, providing valuable historical documentation of the name's existence and use.

Some notable individuals with the surname GIWA throughout history include:

1. Oba Giwa Kokumo (c. 1700 - c. 1770), a powerful ruler of the Oyo Empire who expanded the empire's territory and influence during his reign. 2. Aderemi Giwa (1892 - 1962), a Nigerian politician and traditional ruler who served as the Oni of Ife, a prominent chieftaincy in Yorubaland. 3. Femi Giwa (1944 - 2016), a Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist who fought against military dictatorships and advocated for democracy in Nigeria. 4. Abosede Giwa (born 1976), a Nigerian entrepreneur and businesswoman who founded the successful cosmetics company Giwa Beauty. 5. Gbolahan Giwa (born 1985), a Nigerian-American actor and model, known for his roles in various television shows and films.

While the surname GIWA has its roots in the Yoruba culture of southwestern Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the country and even beyond, as Nigerians have migrated and settled in different parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Giwa surname: questions and answers

How common is the Giwa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 283 in 2016. That gives Giwa a modern rank of #15,359.

What does the Giwa surname mean?

Of African origin, this surname could refer to a prominent or wealthy person.

What does the Giwa map show?

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