NameCensus.

UK surname

Twum

A surname derived from a Ghanaian word meaning "born on Saturday".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Twum is 140 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

2013

140 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Twum surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Twum surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Twum 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 41 #33,552
1998 modern 46 #33,286
1999 modern 47 #33,320
2000 modern 59 #32,217
2001 modern 56 #32,379
2002 modern 74 #31,048
2003 modern 87 #29,615
2004 modern 94 #28,896
2005 modern 106 #27,044
2006 modern 112 #26,415
2007 modern 115 #26,348
2008 modern 122 #25,638
2009 modern 127 #25,564
2010 modern 138 #24,801
2011 modern 137 #24,716
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 140 #24,779
2014 modern 136 #25,452
2015 modern 132 #25,859
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Twums 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 Haringey, Hackney, Merton, Birmingham and Enfield. 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 Haringey 024 Haringey
2 Hackney 002 Hackney
3 Merton 014 Merton
4 Birmingham 039 Birmingham
5 Enfield 006 Enfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Twum

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Twum

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

Twum 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

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

Meaning and origin of Twum

The surname TWUM has its origins in Ghana, West Africa, and can be traced back to the early 19th century. It is believed to be derived from the Akan language, spoken by the Akan people, which is one of the major ethnic groups in Ghana. The name is thought to have originated from the word "twum," meaning "hammer" or "blacksmith."

The earliest recorded instances of the surname TWUM can be found in historical records and documents from the Ashanti Kingdom, which was one of the prominent kingdoms in Ghana during the 19th century. The name was likely associated with individuals who worked as blacksmiths or were involved in metalworking trades.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname TWUM was Nana Twum Ampofo, who lived in the mid-19th century and was a prominent chief and leader in the Ashanti Kingdom. He played a significant role in the negotiations and conflicts between the Ashanti and the British colonial authorities during that time.

Another notable figure was Kwabena Twum, a renowned Ghanaian philosopher and scholar who lived from 1860 to 1932. He was widely respected for his contributions to the field of Akan philosophy and his works on traditional Akan beliefs and practices.

In the early 20th century, Kofi Twum Ampofo (1884-1968) was a prominent Ghanaian lawyer and politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Council and was instrumental in advocating for greater representation and rights for Ghanaians under British colonial rule.

Yaw Twum (1906-1992) was a renowned Ghanaian artist and sculptor, known for his intricate carvings and depictions of traditional Akan culture and mythology. His works have been exhibited in various museums and galleries around the world.

Kwadwo Twum-Baah (1922-2007) was a distinguished Ghanaian academic and author. He served as a professor at the University of Ghana and wrote extensively on topics related to Ghanaian history, culture, and literature.

While the surname TWUM has its roots in Ghana, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and historical significance can be traced back to the Akan people and the metalworking traditions of Ghana.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Twum surname: questions and answers

How common is the Twum surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Twum a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Twum surname mean?

A surname derived from a Ghanaian word meaning "born on Saturday".

What does the Twum map show?

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