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

Askia, 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 Askia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Askia in America

Askia is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Askia surname appeared 112 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 Askia.

The history of the last name Askia

The surname ASKIA originated from the Songhay Empire, which ruled parts of West Africa between the 15th and 16th centuries. It is derived from the Songhay language word "askia," meaning "commander" or "leader." The Askia dynasty played a significant role in the history of the Songhay Empire, with several rulers bearing this title.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name ASKIA can be found in the historical records of the Songhay Empire, particularly during the reign of Askia Muhammad I (1493-1528). He was a prominent ruler who expanded the empire's territories and consolidated its power. Askia Muhammad I is also credited with introducing Islamic reforms and promoting education and trade within the empire.

Another notable figure bearing the surname ASKIA was Askia Ismail (reign: 1539-1549), who succeeded Askia Muhammad I as the ruler of the Songhay Empire. During his reign, the empire experienced a period of stability and prosperity, with the development of trade routes and the construction of various architectural marvels, such as the famous Mosque of Sankoré in Timbuktu.

The name ASKIA also appears in historical manuscripts and records from the region, including the famous Tarikh al-Sudan (History of the Sudan), written by the scholar and traveler al-Sadi in the 17th century. This work provides valuable insights into the history and culture of the Songhay Empire and the ASKIA dynasty.

In more recent times, the surname ASKIA has been associated with notable individuals from West Africa, such as Mamadou Askia Toure (1931-2001), a Malian historian and scholar who specialized in the study of the Songhay Empire and its cultural heritage. He authored several books and articles on the subject, contributing significantly to the preservation and understanding of the region's history.

Another individual worth mentioning is Amadou Hampate Ba (1900-1991), a Malian writer, philosopher, and scholar who was also known by the surname ASKIA. He played a crucial role in preserving the oral traditions and cultural heritage of the Fulani people in West Africa through his writings and teachings.

It is important to note that while the surname ASKIA has its roots in the Songhay Empire and the West African region, it has likely been adopted and used by individuals from various other parts of the world over time, due to migration and cultural exchange.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Askia

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

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

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

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