NameCensus.

UK surname

Popoola

An occupational surname derived from a Yoruba word meaning "skilled weaver."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Popoola is 490 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

483

2016, ranked #10,240

Peak year

2014

490 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 483 in 2016, ranked #10,240.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Popoola surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Popoola surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Popoola 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 1 #34,435
1997 modern 196 #17,859
1998 modern 214 #17,366
1999 modern 217 #17,307
2000 modern 237 #16,331
2001 modern 236 #16,094
2002 modern 261 #15,369
2003 modern 271 #14,787
2004 modern 311 #13,549
2005 modern 353 #12,292
2006 modern 386 #11,537
2007 modern 407 #11,228
2008 modern 395 #11,598
2009 modern 420 #11,266
2010 modern 451 #10,897
2011 modern 433 #11,116
2012 modern 468 #10,366
2013 modern 476 #10,385
2014 modern 490 #10,233
2015 modern 470 #10,480
2016 modern 483 #10,240

Geography

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Where Popoolas 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 Newham, Lambeth and Barking and Dagenham. 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 Newham 036 Newham
2 Lambeth 024 Lambeth
3 Newham 030 Newham
4 Newham 034 Newham
5 Barking and Dagenham 013 Barking and Dagenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Popoola

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Popoola

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

Popoola 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

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

Meaning and origin of Popoola

The surname Popoola has its origins in the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. The name is thought to have emerged during the 16th century, derived from the Yoruba words "opo" meaning "farm" and "ola" meaning "wealth." Together, Popoola can be interpreted to mean "wealthy farmer" or "prosperous farm."

The earliest known documented reference to the Popoola surname dates back to a land deed from the early 1600s in the region of Oyo, which was a prominent Yoruba kingdom at the time. The deed mentions a landowner by the name of Popoola, indicating the surname's use as a hereditary family name by that point.

In the late 17th century, the Popoola name appeared in a historical account of the Yoruba Wars, which detailed conflicts between various Yoruba kingdoms and sub-groups. A notable figure mentioned is Popoola Ogunleke, a military leader who fought in these wars and helped defend the Oyo kingdom from invading forces.

During the 19th century, the Popoola surname gained wider recognition with the rise of a prominent Yoruba family whose members held influential positions in the city of Ibadan. One such individual was Popoola Adeyemi (1820-1892), a highly respected chief and advisor to the Ibadan royal court.

Another notable Popoola was Popoola Akinbola (1876-1952), a pioneering educator who founded one of the first modern schools in Ibadan, aimed at providing Western-style education to the local population.

In more recent history, the Popoola surname has been carried by several accomplished individuals, including Popoola Olufemi (1920-2001), a renowned Nigerian writer and poet whose works explored themes of cultural identity and social change.

Throughout its history, the Popoola name has maintained a strong connection to its Yoruba roots and the agricultural heritage implied by its meaning. While the surname has spread beyond its original regional boundaries, it continues to be closely associated with the rich cultural traditions and history of the Yoruba people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Popoola surname: questions and answers

How common is the Popoola surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 483 in 2016. That gives Popoola a modern rank of #10,240.

What does the Popoola surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from a Yoruba word meaning "skilled weaver."

What does the Popoola map show?

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