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

Anokye, 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 Anokye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Anokye in America

Anokye is the 97671st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Anokye surname appeared 186 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 Anokye.

The history of the last name Anokye

The surname ANOKYE is of Akan origin, stemming from the Akan people of West Africa, primarily Ghana. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th century during the height of the Ashanti Empire.

ANOKYE is derived from the Akan words "ano" meaning "mouth" and "kye" meaning "great," suggesting a possible link to individuals known for their oratory skills or influential speech. Some scholars also trace its roots to the Twi phrase "ano akye," meaning "opening of the mouth," which could signify a respected elder or leader whose words carried weight.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ANOKYE surname is found in the oral histories of the Ashanti people, where it is associated with Okomfo Anokye, a legendary priest, and co-founder of the Ashanti Empire. Born around 1635, Okomfo Anokye is credited with helping to establish the Golden Stool, a sacred symbol of the Ashanti nation.

In the 17th century, the name appears in various Ashanti records and manuscripts, often in reference to individuals of prominence within the empire's administration or religious leadership. One such example is Kwasi Anokye, a renowned military strategist and advisor to Asantehene (King) Osei Tutu I, who lived from approximately 1670 to 1745.

As the Ashanti Empire expanded its influence across West Africa, the ANOKYE name spread to neighboring regions, with variations in spelling and pronunciation emerging in different ethnic groups. In the 18th century, the name is found in records of the Fante people of present-day Ghana, with individuals like Kweku Anokye, a respected trader and merchant who lived from around 1720 to 1795.

In the 19th century, the ANOKYE surname gained further recognition with the rise of Yaa Asantewaa, a legendary queen and leader of the Ashanti resistance against British colonial rule. Born around 1840, Yaa Asantewaa was also known as Nana Yaa Anokye, a name that linked her to the revered Okomfo Anokye.

Another notable figure with the ANOKYE surname was Kwame Anokye, a prominent Ghanaian educator and activist who lived from 1875 to 1955. He played a crucial role in advocating for better educational opportunities for Africans during the colonial era.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Anokye

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

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

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

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