NameCensus.

UK surname

Oni

A Japanese surname meaning "demon" or "ogre" in mythology.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oni is 528 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

458

2016, ranked #10,679

Peak year

2010

528 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 458 in 2016, ranked #10,679.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Oni surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Oni surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Oni 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 185 #18,506
1998 modern 192 #18,561
1999 modern 193 #18,642
2000 modern 182 #19,300
2001 modern 195 #18,215
2002 modern 281 #14,619
2003 modern 308 #13,587
2004 modern 341 #12,673
2005 modern 364 #12,008
2006 modern 404 #11,159
2007 modern 453 #10,281
2008 modern 457 #10,292
2009 modern 476 #10,227
2010 modern 528 #9,651
2011 modern 473 #10,376
2012 modern 453 #10,598
2013 modern 445 #10,928
2014 modern 466 #10,608
2015 modern 461 #10,636
2016 modern 458 #10,679

Geography

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Where Onis 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 Bexley, Greenwich and Southwark. 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 Bexley 008 Bexley
2 Greenwich 002 Greenwich
3 Bexley 002 Bexley
4 Southwark 011 Southwark
5 Southwark 012 Southwark

Forenames

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First names often paired with Oni

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Oni

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

Oni 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

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

Meaning and origin of Oni

The surname "Oni" is of Japanese origin, derived from the word "oni" which means "demon" or "ogre" in Japanese folklore. The name likely originated during the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan, when surnames became more common among the general population.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Oni" can be found in the Edo-period records of the Shogunate, where it appears as a family name in several villages and towns across Japan. The name may have been initially given to families who lived in remote or isolated areas, perhaps reflecting the perceived "demonic" or otherworldly nature of their surroundings.

In the late 18th century, an Oni family is mentioned in the records of the Matsumae Domain, located in present-day Hokkaido, Japan. This family is believed to have been among the first settlers of the region, which was then considered a harsh and untamed wilderness.

Notable individuals with the surname "Oni" include Oni Masatoshi (1832-1890), a prominent samurai and military commander during the Bakumatsu period, who played a crucial role in the Boshin War that led to the Meiji Restoration. Another notable figure is Oni Takehiko (1865-1932), a poet and literary scholar who contributed significantly to the preservation of traditional Japanese poetry forms.

In the early 20th century, Oni Kenji (1901-1977) was a renowned artist and printmaker, known for his intricate woodblock prints depicting traditional Japanese themes and landscapes. His works are housed in various museums and galleries around the world.

During World War II, Oni Masaru (1920-1945) was a naval aviator who fought in the Pacific Theater. He was posthumously awarded the Order of the Golden Kite for his bravery and sacrifice during the Battle of Okinawa.

More recently, Oni Yuki (1955-present) is a celebrated author and journalist, known for her novels and non-fiction works exploring contemporary Japanese society and culture.

While the surname "Oni" may have originated from a word associated with demons or ogres, it has come to represent a rich cultural heritage and history in Japan, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions across various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Oni surname: questions and answers

How common is the Oni surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 458 in 2016. That gives Oni a modern rank of #10,679.

What does the Oni surname mean?

A Japanese surname meaning "demon" or "ogre" in mythology.

What does the Oni map show?

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