NameCensus.

UK surname

Idehen

A surname derived from a personal name of Nigerian origin.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Idehen is 136 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

136

2016, ranked #25,377

Peak year

2016

136 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 136 in 2016, ranked #25,377.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Idehen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Idehen surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Idehen 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 26 #35,254
1999 modern 33 #34,610
2000 modern 37 #34,217
2001 modern 36 #34,171
2002 modern 45 #33,712
2003 modern 43 #33,951
2004 modern 57 #32,968
2005 modern 61 #32,814
2006 modern 70 #32,240
2007 modern 84 #31,067
2008 modern 89 #30,713
2009 modern 100 #29,597
2010 modern 106 #29,305
2011 modern 110 #28,478
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 119 #27,541
2014 modern 125 #26,896
2015 modern 133 #25,729
2016 modern 136 #25,377

Geography

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Where Idehens 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 Greenwich, Bexley and Barking and Dagenham. 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 Greenwich 002 Greenwich
2 Bexley 001 Bexley
3 Greenwich 001 Greenwich
4 Barking and Dagenham 008 Barking and Dagenham
5 Barking and Dagenham 011 Barking and Dagenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Idehen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Idehen

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Idehen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Idehen 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

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

Meaning and origin of Idehen

The surname Idehen is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Edo-speaking people of the southern region of the country. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th century in the Kingdom of Benin, which was a powerful empire located in what is now modern-day Edo State.

The name Idehen is derived from the Edo word "Ide," which means "life" or "existence," and the suffix "hen," which indicates a possessive form. Thus, the literal translation of Idehen would be "owner of life" or "possessor of existence." This name may have been given to individuals who were considered vital for the continuation of their lineage or community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Idehen can be found in the oral traditions and historical accounts of the Edo people. It is said that during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great, who ruled the Kingdom of Benin from 1440 to 1473, there was a notable figure named Idehen who served as a trusted advisor and military strategist.

Another prominent bearer of the name Idehen was Ogiamien Idehen, a skilled sculptor who lived in the 17th century. He is renowned for his intricate carvings and sculptures that adorned the royal palaces and shrines of the Benin Kingdom, showcasing the artistic excellence of the Edo people.

In the 19th century, Chief Idehen Ogbeide was a prominent leader and spokesperson for the Edo people during the British colonial era. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and advocating for the rights and interests of his people in the face of colonial rule.

Idehen Igiehon, born in 1892 and died in 1968, was a renowned educator and activist who dedicated his life to promoting literacy and education among the Edo people. He established several schools and worked tirelessly to preserve the cultural heritage and traditions of his community.

Lastly, Dr. Idehen Amadasun, born in 1938, is a distinguished medical professional and academic who has made significant contributions to the field of public health in Nigeria. He served as the Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Benin and has received numerous accolades for his work in improving healthcare access and quality in the region.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the surname Idehen throughout history, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and significance of this name among the Edo-speaking people of Nigeria.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Idehen surname: questions and answers

How common is the Idehen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 136 in 2016. That gives Idehen a modern rank of #25,377.

What does the Idehen surname mean?

A surname derived from a personal name of Nigerian origin.

What does the Idehen map show?

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