NameCensus.

UK surname

Ogunleye

A Nigerian surname meaning "from the household or compound of the blacksmith".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ogunleye is 355 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

341

2016, ranked #13,425

Peak year

2010

355 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 341 in 2016, ranked #13,425.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Ogunleye surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ogunleye surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ogunleye 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 162 #20,107
1998 modern 181 #19,229
1999 modern 168 #20,312
2000 modern 166 #20,426
2001 modern 166 #20,129
2002 modern 194 #18,651
2003 modern 205 #17,851
2004 modern 236 #16,335
2005 modern 294 #14,006
2006 modern 314 #13,474
2007 modern 338 #12,925
2008 modern 351 #12,661
2009 modern 354 #12,858
2010 modern 355 #13,099
2011 modern 338 #13,435
2012 modern 312 #14,131
2013 modern 316 #14,223
2014 modern 336 #13,692
2015 modern 344 #13,332
2016 modern 341 #13,425

Geography

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Where Ogunleyes 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 Greenwich, Southwark and Hackney. 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 Greenwich 002 Greenwich
2 Southwark 020 Southwark
3 Hackney 026 Hackney
4 Southwark 018 Southwark
5 Hackney 025 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ogunleye

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ogunleye

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

Ogunleye 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ogunleye

The surname Ogunleye has its origins in the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two words from the Yoruba language - "Ogun" meaning "war" or "iron," and "leye" meaning "to worship" or "to venerate." Together, the name can be interpreted as "one who venerates war" or "one who worships iron."

This surname likely emerged during the pre-colonial era when the Yoruba kingdoms were prominent in the region. The Yoruba people have a rich history of metalworking and warfare, which could explain the significance of the name's meaning.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Ogunleye surname can be found in the archives of the Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba kingdom that existed between the 16th and 19th centuries. These records document individuals with the name participating in various roles within the empire's military and administrative structures.

In the 19th century, the spread of Christianity and the influence of European colonization led to some variations in the spelling of the name, such as Ogunlaye or Ogunleye-Shoyinka.

Notable individuals with the surname Ogunleye include:

1. Reverend Samuel Adjai Crowther (1809-1891), a Yoruba linguist and the first African bishop of the Anglican Church. 2. Akanni Ogunleye (born 1981), a Nigerian-American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams. 3. Femi Ogunleye (born 1976), a Nigerian lawyer and author known for his works on human rights and environmental justice. 4. Wale Ogunleye (born 1982), a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA and several international leagues. 5. Adebayo Ogunleye (born 1977), a Nigerian-American former professional football player who played in the NFL for several teams.

While the Ogunleye surname has its roots in the Yoruba culture of Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora. However, the name continues to carry the historical significance of its origins and serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ogunleye surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ogunleye surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 341 in 2016. That gives Ogunleye a modern rank of #13,425.

What does the Ogunleye surname mean?

A Nigerian surname meaning "from the household or compound of the blacksmith".

What does the Ogunleye map show?

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