NameCensus.

UK surname

Nsiah

A surname originating from Ghana, possibly derived from "nsia" meaning ancestor or royal progenitor.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nsiah is 173 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

173

2016, ranked #21,561

Peak year

2016

173 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016, ranked #21,561.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Nsiah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nsiah surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nsiah 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 50 #32,658
1998 modern 50 #32,899
1999 modern 57 #32,367
2000 modern 63 #31,829
2001 modern 69 #31,098
2002 modern 88 #29,534
2003 modern 96 #28,381
2004 modern 105 #27,181
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 116 #25,813
2007 modern 137 #23,590
2008 modern 147 #22,720
2009 modern 150 #22,937
2010 modern 164 #22,109
2011 modern 157 #22,574
2012 modern 151 #23,166
2013 modern 153 #23,314
2014 modern 159 #22,930
2015 modern 168 #21,971
2016 modern 173 #21,561

Geography

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Where Nsiahs 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 Reading, Barking and Dagenham, Wandsworth, Luton and Lambeth. 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 Reading 007 Reading
2 Barking and Dagenham 021 Barking and Dagenham
3 Wandsworth 007 Wandsworth
4 Luton 003 Luton
5 Lambeth 022 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nsiah

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nsiah

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

Nsiah 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

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

Meaning and origin of Nsiah

The surname NSIAH has its origins in Ghana, West Africa, and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Akan language, which is spoken by several ethnic groups in Ghana, including the Ashanti. The name may be related to the Akan word "nsia," which means "wanderer" or "traveler."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname NSIAH can be found in the registers of the Dutch West India Company, which established trading posts along the coast of Ghana in the 17th century. These records mention individuals with the name NSIAH who were involved in the trading of goods such as gold, ivory, and spices.

In the 18th century, the surname NSIAH appeared in the records of the British Colonial Office, which administered the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) as a British colony. These records include mentions of NSIAH individuals who held positions of authority in local communities or served as intermediaries between the colonial authorities and the local population.

A notable bearer of the NSIAH surname was Kofi NSIAH (c. 1730-1805), a prominent chief and trader in the Ashanti region of Ghana. He played a significant role in the political and economic affairs of the Ashanti kingdom during the late 18th century.

Another historical figure with the NSIAH surname was Akua NSIAH (c. 1810-1880), a renowned storyteller and oral historian from the Akwapim region of Ghana. Her narratives, which were passed down through generations, provided valuable insights into the customs, traditions, and history of her people.

In the 19th century, the surname NSIAH was also found in the records of Christian missionary societies that operated in Ghana. Some individuals with this surname were among the early converts to Christianity and played a role in the spread of the religion in the region.

One notable example is Kwasi NSIAH (1845-1912), a Methodist minister and educator who was instrumental in establishing several schools in Ghana and promoting literacy among the local population.

Throughout the 20th century, the NSIAH surname continued to be prominent in various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts. One notable figure was Nana Akua NSIAH (1920-2003), a celebrated playwright and poet whose works explored themes of identity, culture, and social issues.

Overall, the surname NSIAH has a rich history deeply rooted in the cultural and historical traditions of Ghana, with bearers of the name playing significant roles in various aspects of society over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Nsiah surname: questions and answers

How common is the Nsiah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016. That gives Nsiah a modern rank of #21,561.

What does the Nsiah surname mean?

A surname originating from Ghana, possibly derived from "nsia" meaning ancestor or royal progenitor.

What does the Nsiah map show?

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