NameCensus.

UK surname

Yamoah

A surname possibly derived from a West African language meaning wealth or riches.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bexley, Milton Keynes and Cowlairs and Port Dundas.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yamoah is 138 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

138

2016, ranked #25,127

Peak year

2016

138 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016, ranked #25,127.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Yamoah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yamoah surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yamoah 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 48 #32,878
1998 modern 52 #32,732
1999 modern 59 #32,174
2000 modern 65 #31,641
2001 modern 65 #31,501
2002 modern 71 #31,351
2003 modern 74 #31,091
2004 modern 82 #30,468
2005 modern 97 #28,485
2006 modern 116 #25,813
2007 modern 131 #24,282
2008 modern 136 #24,004
2009 modern 131 #25,056
2010 modern 132 #25,519
2011 modern 120 #26,930
2012 modern 116 #27,550
2013 modern 128 #26,336
2014 modern 130 #26,216
2015 modern 128 #26,356
2016 modern 138 #25,127

Geography

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Where Yamoahs 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 Bexley, Milton Keynes, Cowlairs and Port Dundas, Barnet and Haringey. 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 Bexley 008 Bexley
2 Milton Keynes 018 Milton Keynes
3 Cowlairs and Port Dundas Glasgow City
4 Barnet 026 Barnet
5 Haringey 013 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yamoah

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Yamoah

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

Yamoah 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

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

Meaning and origin of Yamoah

The surname Yamoah has its origins in Western Africa, particularly within Ghana. The name is most commonly associated with the Akan people, a major ethnic group in the region. Akan traditions and naming practices have existed for centuries, making it challenging to pinpoint an exact time period for the emergence of the surname. The name Yamoah is derived from the Akan language, likely originating from words that conveyed leadership, strength, or certain attributes admired within the community.

In terms of historical references, unlike European surnames documented in medieval manuscripts such as the Domesday Book, African surnames like Yamoah may not have been recorded in written form until more recent centuries due to the oral tradition of many African cultures.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Yamoah in historical records date back to the colonial period when European missionaries and colonizers began documenting local names. One such early record includes a registrar entry from a Christian mission in the late 19th century, which mentioned a local chief named Kwabena Yamoah, born in 1854 and known for his leadership in the Ashanti region.

Kofi Yamoah, a prominent figure born in 1938, was one of the early female educators and advocates for women's rights in post-colonial Ghana. Her dedication to education and the empowerment of women left a mark on the emerging nation.

Yaw Yamoah, born in 1911, served as an influential member of the Ghanaian independence movement. He collaborated with key figures like Kwame Nkrumah and was instrumental in organizing events and rallies during the struggle for independence in the 1950s.

Kwame Yamoah, a notable figure in Ghanaian politics during the 1960s and 1970s, served in various ministerial roles and contributed to the development of infrastructure and education systems within Ghana post-independence.

Nana Ama Yamoah, born in 1955, is recognized for her work in African literature and cultural studies. Her academic contributions and numerous publications on Akan traditions have provided invaluable insights into the heritage and history of the Akan people.

In sum, the surname Yamoah carries a rich heritage tied to leadership, education, and cultural advocacy within Ghana. The name has been borne by several influential individuals throughout history, each contributing to their communities and the nation in various impactful ways.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Yamoah surname: questions and answers

How common is the Yamoah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016. That gives Yamoah a modern rank of #25,127.

What does the Yamoah surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from a West African language meaning wealth or riches.

What does the Yamoah map show?

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