NameCensus.

UK surname

Toure

A surname of West African origin, likely indicating a person's occupation as a metalworker or blacksmith.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Toure is 251 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

251

2016, ranked #16,744

Peak year

2016

251 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016, ranked #16,744.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 23 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Toure surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Toure surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Toure 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
1851 historical 4 #32,658
1861 historical 23 #31,039
1891 historical 11 #33,268
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 29 #34,795
1998 modern 33 #34,532
1999 modern 45 #33,511
2000 modern 67 #31,473
2001 modern 58 #32,180
2002 modern 78 #30,601
2003 modern 87 #29,615
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 128 #24,076
2006 modern 134 #23,590
2007 modern 152 #22,022
2008 modern 174 #20,385
2009 modern 192 #19,527
2010 modern 220 #18,265
2011 modern 213 #18,502
2012 modern 217 #18,184
2013 modern 224 #18,080
2014 modern 239 #17,429
2015 modern 249 #16,858
2016 modern 251 #16,744

Geography

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Where Toures 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 Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham, Lambeth and Westminster. 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 Tower Hamlets 014 Tower Hamlets
2 Barking and Dagenham 021 Barking and Dagenham
3 Lambeth 026 Lambeth
4 Westminster 005 Westminster
5 Lambeth 022 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Toure

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Toure

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

Toure 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

Toure 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 Toure 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
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Toure, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Toure

The surname Toure has its origins in the West African nation of Mali, dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Bambara language, which is spoken by the Bambara people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Mali. The name is believed to have come from the Bambara word "tore," which means "elephant hunter" or "elephant keeper."

During the time of the Mali Empire, which flourished from the 13th to the 17th century, the Toure surname was associated with individuals who held positions of importance or authority. These individuals were often involved in the hunting or management of elephants, as elephants were highly valued for their ivory tusks and their use in warfare.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Toure name can be found in the chronicles of the Mali Empire, which mention a prominent military leader named Toure Kanda, who served under the famous ruler Mansa Musa in the early 14th century. Kanda was known for his bravery and skill in battle, and his exploits were celebrated in oral traditions and written accounts of the time.

As the Mali Empire declined and various kingdoms and empires rose and fell in the region, the Toure surname continued to be passed down through generations. In the 19th century, a prominent Toure family emerged in the Wassoulou region of present-day Mali, known for their expertise in traditional music and their patronage of the arts.

One of the most famous individuals to bear the Toure surname was Batourou Sekou Toure, a Guinean political leader who played a pivotal role in the decolonization of Guinea from French rule. Born in 1922, Toure became the first President of Guinea in 1958 and ruled the country until his death in 1984.

Other notable figures with the Toure surname include:

1. Amadou Toure (1922-1992), a Malian writer and poet known for his works exploring themes of cultural identity and independence. 2. Samory Toure (1830-1900), a Malinke ruler who led a successful resistance against French colonial rule in West Africa. 3. Seydou Toure (1940-2013), a renowned Malian photographer whose work documented daily life in his country. 4. Aminata Toure (born 1962), a Guinean politician and human rights activist who has advocated for women's rights and democracy. 5. Saidou Toure (born 1983), a Burkinabe professional footballer who has played for various clubs in Europe and Africa.

The Toure surname has remained prevalent in Mali and other parts of West Africa, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance that reflects the region's past and the enduring traditions of its people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Toure surname: questions and answers

How common is the Toure surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016. That gives Toure a modern rank of #16,744.

What does the Toure surname mean?

A surname of West African origin, likely indicating a person's occupation as a metalworker or blacksmith.

What does the Toure map show?

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