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

Akol, 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 Akol surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Akol in America

Akol is the 103655th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Akol surname appeared 173 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 Akol.

The history of the last name Akol

The surname AKOL is of Nigerian origin, with roots tracing back to the Igbo ethnic group in the southeastern region of the country. The name is believed to have emerged in the late 15th or early 16th century during the height of the Igbo civilization.

One theory suggests that AKOL is derived from the Igbo word "akọlụ," which means "strength" or "resilience." This connection implies that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals or families who displayed exceptional fortitude or perseverance in the face of adversity.

Another possible origin of the surname AKOL is its association with a historical figure or a prominent clan within the Igbo community. In some instances, surnames were derived from the names of respected elders, leaders, or ancestral figures as a way to honor their legacy and establish familial connections.

The earliest known recorded instance of the surname AKOL appears in a collection of oral histories and genealogical records maintained by the Igbo people dating back to the late 17th century. These records were meticulously preserved and passed down through generations of oral tradition.

One notable individual bearing the surname AKOL was Nwafor AKOL, a revered Igbo leader and diplomat who lived in the early 19th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating peaceful resolutions between neighboring communities and fostering trade relationships with other regions.

In the late 19th century, Onyekachi AKOL gained recognition as a skilled artisan and master weaver. His exceptional craftsmanship in creating intricately patterned textiles and clothing earned him widespread acclaim and contributed to the preservation of traditional Igbo weaving techniques.

Historically, the surname AKOL has also been associated with the Igbo diaspora, particularly in the Caribbean region. During the transatlantic slave trade, some Igbo individuals were forcibly relocated to the Caribbean islands, carrying their surnames with them. One such individual was Adaeze AKOL, born in the late 18th century, who became a prominent figure in the resistance movements against slavery on the island of Barbados.

It is worth noting that the surname AKOL has various spellings and variations, including AKOLLE, AKOLLI, and AKOLU, due to linguistic differences and regional dialects within the Igbo culture.

While the surname AKOL may not have been widely documented in historical records or manuscripts outside of the Igbo community, its roots and significance remain deeply intertwined with the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the Igbo people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Akol

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

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 Akol 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 Akol was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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