NameCensus.

UK surname

Salako

A surname of African origin, possibly Yoruba, with uncertain meaning.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Salako is 232 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

232

2016, ranked #17,694

Peak year

2016

232 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 232 in 2016, ranked #17,694.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Salako surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Salako surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Salako 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 110 #25,529
1998 modern 102 #27,314
1999 modern 123 #24,643
2000 modern 133 #23,462
2001 modern 131 #23,343
2002 modern 146 #22,302
2003 modern 156 #21,115
2004 modern 181 #19,363
2005 modern 208 #17,687
2006 modern 220 #17,204
2007 modern 219 #17,425
2008 modern 211 #17,997
2009 modern 216 #18,120
2010 modern 216 #18,492
2011 modern 225 #17,841
2012 modern 213 #18,422
2013 modern 218 #18,441
2014 modern 219 #18,523
2015 modern 226 #17,995
2016 modern 232 #17,694

Geography

Back to top

Where Salakos 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 Southwark, Brent and Sutton. 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 Southwark 016 Southwark
2 Southwark 023 Southwark
3 Southwark 018 Southwark
4 Brent 034 Brent
5 Sutton 007 Sutton

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Salako

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Salako

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

Salako 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

Salako falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Salako 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 Salako, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Salako

The surname Salako has its origins in the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It dates back to at least the 16th century, when the Yoruba kingdom of Oyo was at the height of its power and influence in the region.

Salako likely derives from the Yoruba words "sala" meaning "to praise" and "ko" meaning "to gather or assemble." Together, the name could have referred to someone who gathered people for praise or worship, perhaps a religious leader or a town crier.

Early references to the name can be found in some of the oral histories and traditions of the Yoruba people, though written records from that era are scarce. One of the earliest written mentions of the name Salako appears in a 17th century Portuguese document describing trade relations with the Oyo Empire.

The first known bearer of the surname Salako was Adebola Salako, a prominent trader and diplomat in the Oyo Empire who lived from around 1610 to 1685. He played a key role in facilitating trade between the Yoruba and European merchants along the coast.

Another notable figure in Yoruba history with the surname Salako was Oluwole Salako, who lived from 1725 to 1802. He was a respected leader and advisor to the Alaafin (ruler) of Oyo, known for his wisdom and diplomacy in resolving conflicts.

In the 19th century, Sango Salako (1820-1892) was a renowned warrior and military strategist who helped defend the Oyo Empire against external threats and internal revolts. His exploits were recorded in several Yoruba oral histories and songs.

As the Yoruba people migrated and settled in other parts of West Africa and the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade, the surname Salako spread to various regions. One notable figure was Olubunmi Salako (1880-1954), a respected community leader and advocate for education in the Yoruba diaspora in Brazil.

In more recent times, Femi Salako (1931-2008) was a prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of his hometown in Oyo State.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Salako surname: questions and answers

How common is the Salako surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 232 in 2016. That gives Salako a modern rank of #17,694.

What does the Salako surname mean?

A surname of African origin, possibly Yoruba, with uncertain meaning.

What does the Salako map show?

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