NameCensus.

UK surname

Kotey

A surname of Ghanaian origin meaning "wealthy person" or "affluent".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Camden and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kotey is 135 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

135

2016, ranked #25,505

Peak year

2016

135 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016, ranked #25,505.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Kotey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kotey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kotey 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 70 #30,618
1998 modern 63 #31,639
1999 modern 68 #31,311
2000 modern 78 #30,361
2001 modern 77 #30,277
2002 modern 85 #29,867
2003 modern 105 #26,940
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 113 #26,267
2007 modern 112 #26,800
2008 modern 117 #26,351
2009 modern 121 #26,373
2010 modern 128 #26,036
2011 modern 125 #26,220
2012 modern 134 #25,059
2013 modern 128 #26,336
2014 modern 133 #25,851
2015 modern 133 #25,729
2016 modern 135 #25,505

Geography

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Where Koteys 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 Kensington and Chelsea, Camden 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 Kensington and Chelsea 001 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Camden 026 Camden
3 Kensington and Chelsea 011 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Southwark 033 Southwark
5 Kensington and Chelsea 005 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kotey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kotey

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

Kotey 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

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

Meaning and origin of Kotey

The surname Kotey is believed to have originated from the Akan people of West Africa, specifically in present-day Ghana. The name is thought to be derived from the Akan word "kote," which means "stranger" or "visitor." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was perceived as a foreigner or newcomer in a particular community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kotey can be found in historical documents from the 18th century, during the era of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. It is possible that some individuals with this surname may have been among those forcibly transported from West Africa to the Americas during this period.

In Ghana, the name Kotey is commonly associated with the Akan ethnic group, particularly the Fante and Asante subgroups. It is believed to have originated in the coastal regions of present-day Ghana, where the Fante people have traditionally lived.

Notable individuals with the surname Kotey include:

1. Kwame Kotey (1923-2008), a Ghanaian politician and diplomat who served as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 1960s. 2. Nana Kwadwo Kotey II (1898-1978), a prominent Ghanaian chief and traditional ruler from the Akuapem region. 3. Joseph Kotey (born 1952), a Ghanaian footballer who played for the national team in the 1970s. 4. Alexis Kotey (born 1983), a British national who was part of the Islamic State militant group and was involved in the kidnapping and execution of Western hostages in Syria. 5. Ama Kotey (born 1956), a Ghanaian writer and academic who has published several books on African literature and culture.

While the name Kotey is primarily associated with Ghana and the Akan people, it is possible that variations of the name may have spread to other parts of West Africa and even beyond due to migration and cultural exchange over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kotey surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kotey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016. That gives Kotey a modern rank of #25,505.

What does the Kotey surname mean?

A surname of Ghanaian origin meaning "wealthy person" or "affluent".

What does the Kotey map show?

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