NameCensus.

UK surname

Okyere

A surname originating from the Akan language of Ghana, meaning "born on Thursday".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Okyere is 304 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

304

2016, ranked #14,606

Peak year

2015

304 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 304 in 2016, ranked #14,606.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Okyere surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Okyere surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Okyere 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 89 #28,490
1998 modern 89 #29,026
1999 modern 97 #28,187
2000 modern 106 #26,848
2001 modern 105 #26,620
2002 modern 131 #23,793
2003 modern 151 #21,574
2004 modern 198 #18,308
2005 modern 227 #16,730
2006 modern 242 #16,097
2007 modern 273 #14,959
2008 modern 266 #15,384
2009 modern 283 #15,020
2010 modern 297 #14,841
2011 modern 271 #15,708
2012 modern 258 #16,165
2013 modern 266 #16,098
2014 modern 287 #15,342
2015 modern 304 #14,617
2016 modern 304 #14,606

Geography

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Where Okyeres 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 Croydon, Merton, Southwark and Bexley. 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 Croydon 014 Croydon
2 Merton 007 Merton
3 Croydon 005 Croydon
4 Southwark 026 Southwark
5 Bexley 001 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Okyere

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Okyere

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Okyere is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Okyere 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

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

Meaning and origin of Okyere

The surname OKYERE originates from Ghana in West Africa. It is an Akan name that is believed to have derived from the words "okyere" meaning "sender" or "messenger" and "okye" meaning "avenger" or "redeemer." The name likely emerged among the Akan people, a meta-ethnicity comprising various subgroups such as the Asante, Fante, and Bono, who have inhabited the present-day territories of Ghana and Ivory Coast for centuries.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname OKYERE can be traced back to the 17th century, during the height of the powerful Asante Empire. This period saw the rise of prominent Akan rulers, traders, and diplomats who may have borne the name. However, specific historical references to individuals with the surname OKYERE from that era remain scarce in available records.

One notable figure in more recent history was Nana Okyere Baffour, a respected chief and traditional ruler from the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Born in the late 19th century, he played a significant role in preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of the Asante people during the colonial era.

Another individual of note was Kwasi Okyere, a Ghanaian scholar and writer who lived from 1923 to 1998. He made significant contributions to the study of Akan language and literature, publishing several works that explored the rich cultural traditions of his people.

In the realm of sports, Emmanuel Okyere, a Ghanaian footballer who played as a defender, represented his country in international competitions during the late 20th century.

The surname OKYERE is also associated with certain place names in Ghana, such as Okyerekrom and Okyerekurom, which may have connections to the name's origins or historical settlements of individuals bearing the name.

While the surname OKYERE is predominantly found in Ghana, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diasporic communities, carrying with it the rich cultural heritage and history of the Akan people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Okyere surname: questions and answers

How common is the Okyere surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 304 in 2016. That gives Okyere a modern rank of #14,606.

What does the Okyere surname mean?

A surname originating from the Akan language of Ghana, meaning "born on Thursday".

What does the Okyere map show?

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