UK surname

Yakubu

A surname of Nigerian origin meaning "greater than all".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yakubu is 147 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

Modern count

147

2016, ranked #24,071

Peak year

2016

147 bearers

Map years

2006 to 2016

Key insights

• The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016, ranked #24,071.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Map

Yakubu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yakubu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Yakubu 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	35	#34,174
1998	modern	36	#34,246
1999	modern	29	#35,031
2000	modern	31	#34,798
2001	modern	41	#33,753
2002	modern	56	#32,753
2003	modern	61	#32,352
2004	modern	79	#30,799
2005	modern	93	#29,133
2006	modern	109	#26,872
2007	modern	113	#26,641
2008	modern	127	#25,020
2009	modern	141	#23,907
2010	modern	142	#24,352
2011	modern	129	#25,673
2012	modern	137	#24,731
2013	modern	145	#24,207
2014	modern	142	#24,734
2015	modern	144	#24,369
2016	modern	147	#24,071

Geography

Where Yakubus 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, Hackney, Heathryfold and Middlefield and Wandsworth. 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 018	Newham
2	Hackney 002	Hackney
3	Heathryfold and Middlefield	Aberdeen City
4	Newham 028	Newham
5	Wandsworth 037	Wandsworth

Forenames

First names often paired with Yakubu

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Jamila Adama Fatima Habiba Janet Debbie Esther Ayisha Sophia Beatrice

Recent male names

Mohammed Ibrahim Abdulai Emmanuel Anass Abubakar Ali Adam Abdul Ismail

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Yakubu

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

Yakubu 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Yakubu 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.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Yakubu 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.

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: Black - African

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Yakubu

The surname Yakubu traces its origins to the West African region, particularly among the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups. The name is deeply rooted in Islamic culture, as these regions have been significantly influenced by Islam for centuries. Yakubu is derived from the Islamic and Arabic influence and is a variation of the name Yaqub or Jacob, which means "supplanter" in Hebrew. This indicates the name's Semitic roots, spreading through trade and conquest into West Africa by the medieval period.

Yakubu has variations based on phonetic spellings, often in accordance with regional dialects and transliterations. The name's presence can be traced back to the 16th century during the rise of the Songhai Empire, where Arabic script and Islamic names were prevalent due to the influence of Islamic scholars and clerics.

One early reference of the name appears in historical records of the Sokoto Caliphate, which was founded in the early 19th century. In these records, Yakubu is frequently mentioned in connection with religious and military leaders who played crucial roles in the Islamic expansion in West Africa.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname is Modibbo Yakubu, a Fulani leader and Islamic scholar born around 1770. He played a significant role in the Fulani Jihad, which led to the establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate. His contributions to the spread of Islam and education in the region are well-documented in historical texts.

Another notable person is Yakubu Gowon, born in 1934, who served as the head of state in Nigeria from 1966 to 1975. He played a pivotal role in the Nigerian Civil War and the subsequent efforts to unify the country. His leadership and political career are subjects of numerous historical and biographical texts.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni, born in 1982, is another distinguished individual with the surname. He is a retired Nigerian professional footballer known for his prolific goal-scoring abilities. His career saw him rise to prominence in various European football clubs, and he remains a celebrated figure in the sports community.

Yakubu Dan Zala Kankara was a prominent Islamic scholar and educator in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He contributed extensively to Islamic jurisprudence and education in Northern Nigeria. His works are preserved in many Islamic libraries and educational institutions in the region.

Yakubu Musa, a contemporary of the early 20th century, was known for his contributions to the political landscape of Northern Nigeria. His influence helped shape the regional politics during the colonial era, and his efforts in advocating for the rights of his people are noted in several historical accounts.

The surname Yakubu reflects a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and religious influences, weaving through the annals of West African history. Through various prominent individuals, the name has left a lasting imprint on the region's development and continues to hold significant cultural relevance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Yakubu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Yakubu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016. That gives Yakubu a modern rank of #24,071.

What does the Yakubu surname mean?