NameCensus.

UK surname

Idowu

A Yoruba surname meaning "born during royal celebrations".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Idowu is 688 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

688

2016, ranked #7,804

Peak year

2016

688 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 688 in 2016, ranked #7,804.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Idowu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Idowu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Idowu 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 268 #14,585
1998 modern 272 #14,846
1999 modern 288 #14,346
2000 modern 282 #14,532
2001 modern 299 #13,758
2002 modern 369 #12,144
2003 modern 436 #10,552
2004 modern 486 #9,702
2005 modern 531 #9,034
2006 modern 538 #8,969
2007 modern 583 #8,541
2008 modern 595 #8,474
2009 modern 636 #8,208
2010 modern 666 #8,091
2011 modern 643 #8,226
2012 modern 651 #8,066
2013 modern 680 #7,917
2014 modern 669 #8,069
2015 modern 673 #7,965
2016 modern 688 #7,804

Geography

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Where Idowus 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 Bexley, Greenwich and Hackney. 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 Bexley 001 Bexley
2 Greenwich 002 Greenwich
3 Greenwich 011 Greenwich
4 Greenwich 007 Greenwich
5 Hackney 021 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Idowu

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Idowu

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

Idowu 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

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

Meaning and origin of Idowu

The surname Idowu originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It dates back to the 16th century or earlier. The name is derived from the Yoruba words "Ido" meaning "brown" and "wu" meaning "to be born." Thus, Idowu can be interpreted as "the brown one" or "born brown."

Idowu was initially a descriptive name given to children born with a darker complexion. It later became an inherited family name passed down through generations. The name was prevalent in the ancient Yoruba kingdoms of Oyo, Ilorin, and Ibadan.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Idowu can be found in the Iwe Itan Ibadan, a historical manuscript documenting the founding of Ibadan in the early 19th century. The text mentions an influential Idowu family who played a role in the city's establishment.

In the late 19th century, a prominent Idowu was Reverend Samuel Adjai Idowu (1842-1917), a pioneering Nigerian minister and educator. He was instrumental in establishing the first Anglican church and school in Abeokuta.

Another notable figure was Chief Obafemi Idowu (1887-1964), a businessman and traditional ruler in Abeokuta. He was a respected leader and played a significant role in the city's development during the colonial era.

In the 20th century, Professor Bolaji Idowu (1913-2003) was a renowned Nigerian scholar, philosopher, and author. His works on Yoruba traditional religion and philosophy, such as "Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief," made significant contributions to African studies.

More recently, Idowu Koyenikan (born 1975) is an author and motivational speaker of Yoruba descent. His book "Wealth for All: Living a Life of Success at the Edge of Your Ability" has gained international recognition.

The name Idowu has also been associated with various place names in southwestern Nigeria, such as Idowu Quarters in Abeokuta and Idowu Village in Ondo State, reflecting the historical presence of families bearing this surname in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Idowu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Idowu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 688 in 2016. That gives Idowu a modern rank of #7,804.

What does the Idowu surname mean?

A Yoruba surname meaning "born during royal celebrations".

What does the Idowu map show?

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