NameCensus.

UK surname

Ogun

A surname derived from the Yoruba word for "war" or "iron."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ogun is 201 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

189

2016, ranked #20,334

Peak year

2010

201 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016, ranked #20,334.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ogun surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ogun surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ogun 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 10 #32,589
1997 modern 111 #25,394
1998 modern 106 #26,689
1999 modern 95 #28,465
2000 modern 99 #27,845
2001 modern 100 #27,402
2002 modern 126 #24,393
2003 modern 132 #23,459
2004 modern 140 #22,793
2005 modern 160 #20,899
2006 modern 172 #20,073
2007 modern 183 #19,553
2008 modern 186 #19,524
2009 modern 183 #20,135
2010 modern 201 #19,387
2011 modern 191 #19,871
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 176 #21,237
2014 modern 179 #21,186
2015 modern 186 #20,576
2016 modern 189 #20,334

Geography

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Where Oguns 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 Southwark, Newham, Brent, Hounslow 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 Southwark 018 Southwark
2 Newham 004 Newham
3 Brent 011 Brent
4 Hounslow 020 Hounslow
5 Lewisham 007 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ogun

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ogun

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

Ogun 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

Ogun 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 Ogun is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

This describes the area pattern most associated with Ogun, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ogun

The surname "OGUN" has its origins in Nigeria, West Africa, and can be traced back several centuries. It is a prominent name among the Yoruba people, one of the largest ethnic groups in the region.

The name "OGUN" is derived from the Yoruba word "Ogun," which refers to the god of iron, war, and hunting. In Yoruba mythology, Ogun is revered as a powerful deity responsible for clearing paths through the wilderness, making him a significant figure in the cultural traditions of the Yoruba people.

Historical references to the name "OGUN" can be found in various written records and oral traditions passed down through generations. One notable example is the inclusion of individuals bearing this surname in the records of the Oyo Empire, a prominent Yoruba kingdom that flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries.

The earliest recorded instances of the name "OGUN" can be traced back to the 17th century, with several individuals bearing this surname appearing in administrative documents and oral histories of the Oyo Empire. One notable figure from this period was Ogun Ajayi, a renowned warrior and military leader who played a crucial role in the defense of the Oyo Empire against invading forces.

Throughout history, the surname "OGUN" has been associated with various place names and older spellings of place names within the Yoruba-speaking regions of Nigeria. For example, the town of Ogun-Isoko and the Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria are believed to have derived their names from the Yoruba word "Ogun."

Several famous individuals have borne the surname "OGUN" throughout history, including:

1. Oluwole Ogun (1928-2018), a Nigerian playwright, actor, and director known for his contributions to the development of Nigerian theater. 2. Bode Ogun (1940-2020), a Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist who fought against military dictatorships in Nigeria. 3. Bayo Ogun (born 1962), a Nigerian artist and sculptor renowned for his intricate wood carvings depicting Yoruba culture and mythology. 4. Tayo Ogun (born 1969), a Nigerian-American writer and academic who has authored several novels exploring themes of identity and diaspora. 5. Adebayo Ogun (born 1978), a Nigerian-British football player who played as a midfielder for various clubs in England and Scotland.

It is important to note that while the surname "OGUN" has its roots in the Yoruba culture of Nigeria, it has also been adopted by individuals from other ethnic groups and regions, both within Nigeria and beyond, reflecting the rich diversity and cultural exchange that has taken place throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ogun surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ogun surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016. That gives Ogun a modern rank of #20,334.

What does the Ogun surname mean?

A surname derived from the Yoruba word for "war" or "iron."

What does the Ogun map show?

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