NameCensus.

UK surname

Manneh

A surname of Gambian origin, suggesting a possible association with the Maninka ethnic group.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Kesteven, Leeds and Crawley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Manneh is 217 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

217

2016, ranked #18,535

Peak year

2016

217 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 217 in 2016, ranked #18,535.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Manneh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Manneh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Manneh 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
1861 historical 13 #32,208
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1997 modern 39 #33,759
1998 modern 44 #33,462
1999 modern 42 #33,778
2000 modern 53 #32,805
2001 modern 51 #32,850
2002 modern 67 #31,723
2003 modern 82 #30,206
2004 modern 97 #28,455
2005 modern 90 #29,527
2006 modern 119 #25,413
2007 modern 132 #24,166
2008 modern 155 #21,956
2009 modern 173 #20,869
2010 modern 186 #20,379
2011 modern 188 #20,067
2012 modern 201 #19,147
2013 modern 209 #18,984
2014 modern 210 #19,064
2015 modern 215 #18,659
2016 modern 217 #18,535

Geography

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Where Mannehs 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 South Kesteven, Leeds, Crawley, Newham and Manchester. 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 South Kesteven 007 South Kesteven
2 Leeds 065 Leeds
3 Crawley 010 Crawley
4 Newham 018 Newham
5 Manchester 011 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Manneh

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

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

Manneh 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

Manneh falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Manneh

The surname Manneh has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the Gambia region. It is believed to have derived from the Mandinka ethnic group, one of the largest and most influential groups in the region. The name is thought to have emerged during the 16th century, when the Mandinka people were prominent in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Manneh can be found in the writings of Portuguese explorer Alvise Cadamosto, who documented his travels in West Africa in the 1450s. He made mention of a local ruler named Manneh, suggesting that the name was already in use at that time.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, as the trans-Atlantic slave trade reached its peak, many Africans with the surname Manneh were forcibly brought to the Americas. This led to the dispersal of the name across various regions, including the Caribbean and parts of North America.

One notable figure with the surname Manneh was Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Manneh, a prominent Gambian politician and diplomat who served as the country's Minister of Education and later as the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He was born in 1920 and played a significant role in shaping the educational system of the Gambia.

Another individual of historical significance was Ebrima Manneh, a Gambian journalist who gained international recognition for his work in exposing corruption and human rights abuses in the country. He went missing in 2006 after being arrested by the Gambian authorities, and his fate remains unknown to this day.

In the literary realm, Momodou Manneh, a Gambian writer and poet, has made significant contributions to the country's literary scene. His works often explore themes of identity, culture, and the struggles of the African diaspora. He was born in 1978 and continues to influence the literary landscape of the region.

Fatou Manneh, a Gambian educator and women's rights activist, has also left a lasting impact. Born in 1945, she dedicated her life to advocating for gender equality and improving access to education for girls and women in the Gambia.

Finally, Alieu Manneh, a Gambian football player, achieved international recognition for his skills on the field. He played for several European clubs, including Boavista FC in Portugal, and represented the Gambian national team in numerous international competitions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Manneh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Manneh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 217 in 2016. That gives Manneh a modern rank of #18,535.

What does the Manneh surname mean?

A surname of Gambian origin, suggesting a possible association with the Maninka ethnic group.

What does the Manneh map show?

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