NameCensus.

UK surname

Okoh

An Igbo surname originally derived from the word "oko" meaning farmer or planter.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Okoh is 201 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

194

2016, ranked #19,976

Peak year

2014

201 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016, ranked #19,976.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Okoh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Okoh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Okoh 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 75 #30,109
1998 modern 66 #31,387
1999 modern 67 #31,409
2000 modern 72 #30,977
2001 modern 78 #30,168
2002 modern 99 #28,082
2003 modern 111 #26,091
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 155 #21,318
2006 modern 160 #21,066
2007 modern 185 #19,402
2008 modern 191 #19,195
2009 modern 195 #19,329
2010 modern 196 #19,698
2011 modern 177 #20,874
2012 modern 182 #20,440
2013 modern 200 #19,524
2014 modern 201 #19,641
2015 modern 197 #19,774
2016 modern 194 #19,976

Geography

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Where Okohs 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 Merton, Luton, Lewisham and Greenwich. 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 Merton 017 Merton
2 Luton 018 Luton
3 Lewisham 022 Lewisham
4 Lewisham 005 Lewisham
5 Greenwich 002 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Okoh

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Okoh

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Okoh is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Okoh 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

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

Meaning and origin of Okoh

The surname OKOH has its origins in Nigeria, specifically among the Igbo people, and dates back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Igbo word "ọkọ," which means "husband" or "male." The name was often given to firstborn sons or male children.

OKOH is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally formed by adding a prefix or suffix to a father's name or ancestry. In this case, the suffix "-h" was likely added to denote the male line or lineage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name OKOH can be found in the oral traditions and folklore of the Igbo people, where it was often used in stories and proverbs. It is also possible that the name appeared in local records or documents, but many of these were lost or destroyed over time.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, as the transatlantic slave trade intensified, many Igbo people, including those with the surname OKOH, were forcibly taken to the Americas and the Caribbean. This led to the dispersal of the name across various regions, including the United States, Brazil, and the Caribbean islands.

Notable individuals with the surname OKOH throughout history include:

1. Nnamdi OKOH (1890-1957), a prominent Nigerian nationalist and politician who advocated for Nigerian independence from British colonial rule. 2. Chike OKOH (1920-1995), a Nigerian artist and sculptor known for his works depicting traditional Igbo culture and mythology. 3. Onyeka OKOH (1945-2010), a Nigerian writer and academic who authored several acclaimed novels and plays exploring themes of identity and postcolonial experiences. 4. Chiamaka OKOH (born 1982), a Nigerian-American entrepreneur and founder of a successful fashion brand that celebrates African heritage and design. 5. Emeka OKOH (born 1975), a Nigerian-British professional footballer who played for several clubs in England and Scotland during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

While the name OKOH may have evolved and adapted over time, its roots can be traced back to the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people in Nigeria, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of African surnames and their significance in preserving cultural identity and familial connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Okoh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Okoh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016. That gives Okoh a modern rank of #19,976.

What does the Okoh surname mean?

An Igbo surname originally derived from the word "oko" meaning farmer or planter.

What does the Okoh map show?

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