NameCensus.

UK surname

Ibeh

Nigerian surname meaning "the high place" or "elevated place".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Poole and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ibeh is 102 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

102

2016, ranked #30,722

Peak year

2016

102 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016, ranked #30,722.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ibeh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ibeh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ibeh 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 21 #35,692
1998 modern 22 #35,687
1999 modern 20 #35,923
2000 modern 16 #36,316
2001 modern 16 #36,160
2002 modern 14 #36,484
2003 modern 20 #35,915
2004 modern 31 #35,105
2005 modern 41 #34,478
2006 modern 45 #34,491
2007 modern 52 #34,195
2008 modern 55 #34,165
2009 modern 63 #33,751
2010 modern 75 #33,081
2011 modern 71 #33,392
2012 modern 83 #32,611
2013 modern 93 #31,785
2014 modern 88 #32,495
2015 modern 94 #31,872
2016 modern 102 #30,722

Geography

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Where Ibehs 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 Ealing, Poole, Wandsworth and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Ealing 040 Ealing
2 Poole 014 Poole
3 Wandsworth 033 Wandsworth
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 028 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 Poole 015 Poole

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ibeh

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ibeh

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

Ibeh 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

Ibeh 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 Ibeh is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Ibeh

The surname IBEH originates from Nigeria, with roots tracing back to the Igbo ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 15th century or earlier, although the exact origin and meaning behind the name remain uncertain.

Some theories suggest that IBEH is derived from the Igbo word "ibe," which means "friend" or "companion." This could indicate that the name was initially given to someone who was considered a loyal and trustworthy friend or ally. Alternatively, it may have been a descriptive name referring to someone with a friendly or sociable demeanor.

Historical records from the region are scarce, but there are mentions of the name IBEH in various Igbo oral traditions and folklores. One notable figure is Okorie IBEH, a celebrated warrior and leader from the ancient Igbo kingdom of Nri, who is said to have lived in the late 16th century.

The earliest documented instance of the name IBEH can be found in the records of the Arochukwu Slave Trade, which took place in the 18th and 19th centuries. Several individuals with the surname IBEH were listed among the captives and traders involved in this infamous slave trade.

During the colonial era in Nigeria, the name IBEH appeared in various administrative records and government documents. Notable individuals from this period include Eze IBEH (1825-1901), a prominent chief and landowner in the Enugu region, and Nwankwo IBEH (1870-1942), a respected elder and mediator who played a crucial role in resolving disputes between local communities and the British colonial authorities.

In the 20th century, the IBEH surname gained further recognition with individuals such as Chukwuemeka IBEH (1920-2005), a renowned educator and author who wrote extensively on Igbo culture and traditions, and Ngozi IBEH (1945-2018), a celebrated artist and sculptor whose works were exhibited globally.

More recently, Uchenna IBEH (born 1978) has made a name for himself as a successful entrepreneur and business leader, founding several companies in the technology and telecommunications sectors.

It is worth noting that variations in spelling, such as IBEH, IBEY, or IBERE, may exist due to regional dialects or transcription differences, but these are considered variations of the same surname rooted in the Igbo culture of Nigeria.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ibeh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ibeh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016. That gives Ibeh a modern rank of #30,722.

What does the Ibeh surname mean?

Nigerian surname meaning "the high place" or "elevated place".

What does the Ibeh map show?

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