NameCensus.

UK surname

Ishola

A Yoruba surname meaning "by the grace of God" or "work of the Lord".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ishola is 195 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

177

2016, ranked #21,230

Peak year

2013

195 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 177 in 2016, ranked #21,230.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ishola surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ishola surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ishola 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 67 #30,915
1998 modern 69 #31,076
1999 modern 65 #31,605
2000 modern 66 #31,553
2001 modern 68 #31,195
2002 modern 89 #29,428
2003 modern 99 #27,871
2004 modern 121 #24,939
2005 modern 143 #22,473
2006 modern 159 #21,148
2007 modern 160 #21,296
2008 modern 160 #21,521
2009 modern 176 #20,632
2010 modern 180 #20,812
2011 modern 177 #20,874
2012 modern 183 #20,356
2013 modern 195 #19,857
2014 modern 191 #20,302
2015 modern 183 #20,786
2016 modern 177 #21,230

Geography

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Where Isholas 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, Lewisham 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 Greenwich 011 Greenwich
2 Lewisham 010 Lewisham
3 Hackney 021 Hackney
4 Greenwich 001 Greenwich
5 Lewisham 005 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ishola

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

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

Ishola 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ishola

The surname Ishola originated from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is believed to have derived from the combination of two Yoruba words, "Isho" meaning "work" or "task" and "La" meaning "to perfect" or "to complete". Thus, the name Ishola can be interpreted as "one who perfects or completes a task".

The earliest known record of the name Ishola dates back to the 16th century, during the height of the Oyo Empire in what is now modern-day Nigeria. It is believed that the name was initially associated with skilled artisans or tradesmen who took great pride in their craftsmanship and attention to detail.

In the 18th century, the name Ishola gained prominence among the Yoruba people, particularly within the ruling class and nobility. One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing this name was Ishola Akinbami, a renowned diplomat and advisor to the Alaafin (king) of Oyo in the late 1700s.

As the Yoruba culture and language spread across West Africa, the name Ishola also found its way into other regions. In the 19th century, there are records of individuals with the name Ishola in parts of present-day Benin, Togo, and Ghana, reflecting the influence of Yoruba traders and migrants in these areas.

One notable bearer of the name Ishola was Ishola Adejumo, a prominent Yoruba artist who lived from 1898 to 1972. His woodcarvings and sculptures depicting Yoruba mythology and cultural traditions are celebrated for their intricate details and artistic mastery.

Another individual of historical significance was Ishola Ademola (1904-1992), a Nigerian lawyer and jurist who served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 1958 to 1972. He played a crucial role in shaping the legal system of Nigeria during its transition to independence.

In the 20th century, the name Ishola gained further recognition with individuals like Ishola Williams (1920-2018), a Nigerian-born British actor and playwright. He was known for his contributions to British theater, particularly in portraying African and Caribbean characters on stage.

Ishola Akindipe (1936-2018) was a prominent Nigerian academic and administrator who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 1984 to 1991. He was widely respected for his contributions to higher education and research in Nigeria.

Throughout its history, the surname Ishola has been closely associated with the Yoruba culture and language. Its meaning and significance have remained rooted in the values of diligence, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ishola surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ishola surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 177 in 2016. That gives Ishola a modern rank of #21,230.

What does the Ishola surname mean?

A Yoruba surname meaning "by the grace of God" or "work of the Lord".

What does the Ishola map show?

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