NameCensus.

UK surname

Kwakye

A surname likely of Akan origin denoting a royal or chiefly lineage.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kwakye is 229 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

229

2016, ranked #17,878

Peak year

2016

229 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 229 in 2016, ranked #17,878.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Kwakye surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kwakye surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kwakye 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 77 #29,874
1998 modern 95 #28,303
1999 modern 103 #27,305
2000 modern 104 #27,150
2001 modern 107 #26,328
2002 modern 120 #25,110
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 146 #22,146
2006 modern 153 #21,643
2007 modern 160 #21,296
2008 modern 185 #19,589
2009 modern 189 #19,727
2010 modern 199 #19,515
2011 modern 200 #19,280
2012 modern 207 #18,777
2013 modern 223 #18,135
2014 modern 221 #18,412
2015 modern 218 #18,478
2016 modern 229 #17,878

Geography

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Where Kwakyes 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 Enfield, Brent, Barking and Dagenham, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 Enfield 030 Enfield
2 Brent 027 Brent
3 Barking and Dagenham 020 Barking and Dagenham
4 Hammersmith and Fulham 009 Hammersmith and Fulham
5 Kensington and Chelsea 001 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kwakye

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kwakye

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

Kwakye 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

Kwakye falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kwakye 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 Kwakye, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kwakye

The surname Kwakye originates from the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa. It is a name that has been in use since at least the 16th century, with records showing variations such as Kwaku and Kwakye appearing in historical documents from that time period.

The name is derived from the Akan word "kwaku," which means "male born on Wednesday." This suggests that the name Kwakye may have originally been given to children born on that day of the week. It is also believed to have ties to the Akan word "kwaku," meaning "mighty warrior" or "brave one."

One of the earliest known records of the name Kwakye dates back to the late 17th century, when it appeared in a colonial-era document detailing the Akan people's interactions with European traders along the Gold Coast (now modern-day Ghana). This document, written by a Dutch colonist, mentions a local leader named Kwakye Antwi, who played a pivotal role in the region's trade and politics at the time.

In the 19th century, the name Kwakye gained further prominence with the birth of Kwakye Ackah (1828-1892), a prominent Ghanaian farmer and landowner who was influential in his community. His son, Kwakye Frimpong (1855-1914), followed in his footsteps and became a respected figure in the region's agricultural industry.

Another notable bearer of the Kwakye name was Kwakye Owusu (1890-1962), a renowned Ghanaian educator and advocate for women's rights. She established several schools in the country and worked tirelessly to promote education and empowerment for young girls.

In more recent history, Kwakye Asiedu (1918-1997) was a prominent Ghanaian politician who served as a member of parliament and held several ministerial positions in the government during the mid-20th century.

Kwakye Opoku (1931-2008) was a celebrated Ghanaian artist and sculptor, known for his intricate wood carvings and sculptures that depicted traditional Akan culture and mythology. His works are displayed in museums and galleries around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kwakye surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kwakye surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 229 in 2016. That gives Kwakye a modern rank of #17,878.

What does the Kwakye surname mean?

A surname likely of Akan origin denoting a royal or chiefly lineage.

What does the Kwakye map show?

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