Find out how popular the last name Adeyanju is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Adeyanju.

Adeyanju, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Adeyanju surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Adeyanju in America

Adeyanju is the 139228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Adeyanju surname appeared 120 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Adeyanju.

The history of the last name Adeyanju

The surname Adeyanju has its origins in the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria. The name is a combination of two Yoruba words, "Ade" meaning "crown" or "royalty," and "Yanju" meaning "walks with" or "accompanies." The name likely originated in the 16th or 17th century, during the height of the Oyo Empire, one of the largest and most influential Yoruba kingdoms.

The Adeyanju name is closely associated with the ancient town of Iwo, located in present-day Osun State, Nigeria. Iwo was a prominent settlement within the Oyo Empire, known for its skilled craftsmen and traders. It is believed that the earliest bearers of the Adeyanju name were either members of the royal family or close associates of the ruling class.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Adeyanju name can be found in the oral histories and folklore of the Yoruba people. These stories often mention individuals with the name, highlighting their wisdom, bravery, and loyalty to the Oyo kings. However, written records from that era are scarce.

In the 19th century, during the era of European exploration and colonization, several notable individuals with the Adeyanju surname emerged. One such figure was Adetayo Adeyanju (1825-1898), a renowned trader and diplomat who facilitated commercial relations between the Oyo Empire and British colonial authorities.

Another prominent Adeyanju was Oluyemi Adeyanju (1860-1932), a skilled warrior and military strategist who played a crucial role in defending Iwo against rival kingdoms and colonial incursions. His exploits earned him the title of "Balogun," a high-ranking military commander.

In more recent times, the Adeyanju name has continued to be associated with accomplished individuals. One notable example is Tunde Adeyanju (1957-), a Nigerian diplomat and former Ambassador to the United States, who served from 2011 to 2016.

Adeyinka Adeyanju (1970-), a Nigerian-born British actress, has also gained recognition for her roles in various television and film productions, including the acclaimed series "Guerrilla" and the movie "The Necklace."

Lastly, Deji Adeyanju (1982-) is a prominent human rights activist and social commentator in Nigeria, known for his outspoken advocacy for civil liberties and good governance.

While the Adeyanju surname has its roots in the Yoruba culture of Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the name's essence remains closely tied to its historical origins and the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Adeyanju

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Adeyanju.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Adeyanju was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Adeyanju was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Adeyanju, please contact us.

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