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

Argaw, 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 Argaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Argaw in America

Argaw is the 102197th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Argaw surname appeared 176 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 Argaw.

The history of the last name Argaw

The surname ARGAW has its origins in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, where it is believed to have originated in the 16th century. The name is derived from the Amharic word "arga," which means "land" or "territory," suggesting that the family may have been landowners or prominent members of a particular area.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the ARGAW surname can be found in a land ownership document from the late 16th century, which referenced a family with this name holding a significant tract of land in the Gondar region of Amhara.

In the 17th century, the ARGAW name appeared in several historical chronicles, including the writings of the renowned Ethiopian scholar and philosopher, Zera Yacob (1599-1692). He made references to individuals with the ARGAW surname, indicating their involvement in theological debates and intellectual circles of the time.

During the 18th century, the ARGAW family gained prominence in the imperial court of Emperor Iyoas I (1755-1769). One notable figure was Azmach Argaw Wossen, a military commander and advisor to the emperor, who played a crucial role in the Battle of Sartsa in 1766.

In the 19th century, the ARGAW surname was associated with several influential figures in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Among them was Abuna Argawi (1820-1890), a prominent cleric who served as the Archbishop of the Gondar Diocese and was known for his extensive theological writings.

Another notable bearer of the ARGAW name was Lij Argaw Engeda (1856-1924), a respected nobleman and diplomat who served as a representative of Emperor Menelik II (1889-1913) in negotiations with European powers over territorial disputes.

As the centuries progressed, the ARGAW surname continued to be carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, artists, and political figures, solidifying its place in the cultural fabric of Ethiopia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Argaw

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

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

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

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