NameCensus.

UK surname

Ogbonna

An Igbo surname meaning "father's wealth".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ogbonna is 209 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

201

2016, ranked #19,525

Peak year

2014

209 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 201 in 2016, ranked #19,525.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Ogbonna surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ogbonna surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ogbonna 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 76 #29,997
1998 modern 72 #30,775
1999 modern 81 #30,037
2000 modern 83 #29,809
2001 modern 83 #29,617
2002 modern 92 #29,040
2003 modern 90 #29,260
2004 modern 109 #26,607
2005 modern 126 #24,287
2006 modern 149 #22,013
2007 modern 150 #22,212
2008 modern 146 #22,822
2009 modern 147 #23,248
2010 modern 174 #21,259
2011 modern 164 #21,900
2012 modern 190 #19,864
2013 modern 205 #19,218
2014 modern 209 #19,128
2015 modern 203 #19,381
2016 modern 201 #19,525

Geography

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Where Ogbonnas 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 Hackney, Cardiff, Wandsworth, Enfield and Lewisham. 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 Hackney 002 Hackney
2 Cardiff 008 Cardiff
3 Wandsworth 034 Wandsworth
4 Enfield 030 Enfield
5 Lewisham 039 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ogbonna

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ogbonna

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

Ogbonna 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ogbonna

The surname Ogbonna originates from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th century, when the Igbo kingdoms were well-established and influential in the region. The name is derived from the Igbo words "ogbo," meaning "wealth" or "prosperity," and "nna," meaning "father" or "ancestor."

In traditional Igbo culture, names often carried significant meaning and were carefully chosen to reflect the values and aspirations of the family or community. The name Ogbonna likely signified the desire for prosperity and wealth to be passed down through generations, honoring the ancestors and their legacy.

Historical records from the Igbo kingdoms during the 15th to 18th centuries occasionally mention individuals with the surname Ogbonna or similar variations, such as Ogbonnaya or Ogbonna-Eze. However, due to the oral tradition and limited written records from that era, specific details about notable individuals bearing this name are scarce.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Ogbonna surname can be found in the writings of European explorers and missionaries who visited the region in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In his journal from 1789, the British explorer Mungo Park mentioned encountering an Igbo village chief named Ogbonna Nnaji, who assisted him during his travels across West Africa.

As the Igbo people migrated and established communities across various regions, the surname Ogbonna spread alongside them. In the 20th century, several prominent figures emerged with this surname, including Ogbonna Nwachukwu (1912-1988), a renowned Igbo novelist and playwright, and Ogbonna Ibe (1932-2002), a respected Nigerian politician and diplomat.

Other notable individuals with the surname Ogbonna include:

1. Ogbonna Kalu (1923-1997), a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist. 2. Ogbonna Nweke (born 1951), a Nigerian academic and author. 3. Ogbonna Nwube (born 1969), a Nigerian football player and coach. 4. Ogbonna Okafur (born 1977), a Nigerian artist and sculptor. 5. Ogbonna Ezekwesili (born 1982), a Nigerian professional basketball player.

While the Ogbonna surname has its roots in the Igbo culture, it has now spread globally due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ogbonna surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ogbonna surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 201 in 2016. That gives Ogbonna a modern rank of #19,525.

What does the Ogbonna surname mean?

An Igbo surname meaning "father's wealth".

What does the Ogbonna map show?

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