NameCensus.

UK surname

Obeng

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

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Obeng is 570 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

570

2016, ranked #9,038

Peak year

2016

570 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 570 in 2016, ranked #9,038.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Obeng surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Obeng surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Obeng 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 208 #17,219
1998 modern 225 #16,846
1999 modern 211 #17,662
2000 modern 211 #17,603
2001 modern 209 #17,469
2002 modern 269 #15,044
2003 modern 295 #13,964
2004 modern 348 #12,495
2005 modern 393 #11,335
2006 modern 443 #10,369
2007 modern 459 #10,177
2008 modern 494 #9,738
2009 modern 507 #9,743
2010 modern 538 #9,523
2011 modern 519 #9,687
2012 modern 536 #9,361
2013 modern 551 #9,320
2014 modern 556 #9,298
2015 modern 554 #9,252
2016 modern 570 #9,038

Geography

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Where Obengs 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 Barking and Dagenham, Lambeth, Lewisham and Salford. 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 Barking and Dagenham 021 Barking and Dagenham
2 Lambeth 011 Lambeth
3 Lambeth 019 Lambeth
4 Lewisham 001 Lewisham
5 Salford 016 Salford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Obeng

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Obeng

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Obeng 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

Obeng 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

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

Meaning and origin of Obeng

The surname Obeng originates from the Akan people of Ghana in West Africa, with its roots dating back to the pre-colonial era. It is believed to have derived from the Akan word "obeng," which means "artisan" or "metalworker," indicating that the name was likely associated with individuals who practiced these occupations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Obeng can be found in historical accounts from the Ashanti Kingdom, a powerful empire that dominated parts of present-day Ghana and neighboring regions from the late 17th to the late 19th century. The Ashanti were known for their skilled craftsmanship, particularly in metalwork and goldsmithing, which may have contributed to the prevalence of the surname among their population.

During the colonial period, the name Obeng appeared in various documents and records kept by European traders and administrators in the region. Notably, in the late 18th century, an Ashanti craftsman named Kwame Obeng was renowned for his exquisite metalwork, and his creations were highly sought after by European collectors and officials.

As the Akan people migrated and settled in different parts of Ghana and the surrounding regions, the surname Obeng spread with them. One notable figure bearing this name was Kwasi Obeng, a prominent Ghanaian educator and administrator who lived from 1897 to 1972. He played a crucial role in establishing and developing several educational institutions in Ghana, including the Kumasi College of Technology (now Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology).

Another prominent individual with the surname Obeng was Kofi Obeng, a Ghanaian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1979 to 1981. Born in 1931, he played a significant role in shaping Ghana's foreign policy during his tenure.

In the realm of sports, Samuel Obeng, a Ghanaian sprinter born in 1985, gained recognition for his achievements in international competitions. He represented Ghana in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, competing in the 100m and 200m events.

Kwabena Obeng, a Ghanaian-British architect and academic, made notable contributions to the field of architecture. Born in 1941, he was the first Black British architect to establish his own architectural practice in London and was recognized for his innovative designs and commitment to sustainable architecture.

The surname Obeng has also gained global recognition through its association with prominent figures in various fields, reflecting the diaspora of Akan people and their cultural influences around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Obeng surname: questions and answers

How common is the Obeng surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 570 in 2016. That gives Obeng a modern rank of #9,038.

What does the Obeng surname mean?

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

What does the Obeng map show?

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