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

Attoh, 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 Attoh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Attoh in America

Attoh is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Attoh surname appeared 117 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 Attoh.

The history of the last name Attoh

The surname ATTOH is believed to have originated in the Akan regions of present-day Ghana and Ivory Coast, West Africa. The name likely emerged during the 17th or 18th century, derived from the Akan word "atto," which means "gatekeeper" or "watchman." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have held positions as gatekeepers or guards in their communities.

One of the earliest recorded references to the ATTOH surname can be found in the oral histories and traditions of the Akan people. These accounts often mention individuals with this surname serving as trusted advisors or protectors to local chiefs and rulers. However, due to the nature of oral traditions, specific dates and individuals are difficult to pinpoint with certainty.

In the 19th century, as European colonization and record-keeping practices became more widespread in West Africa, the ATTOH surname began appearing in written documents. One notable individual from this period was Kwame ATTOH, a prominent trader and community leader in the Ashanti region of Ghana, born around 1820.

As the 20th century dawned, the ATTOH name continued to gain prominence. Joseph ATTOH (1895-1972), a Ghanaian educator and politician, played a significant role in the country's independence movement and served as a member of the Legislative Council in the 1940s.

Another influential figure was Mercy ATTOH (1915-1998), a pioneering Ghanaian journalist and women's rights activist. She was one of the first female editors of the Ghanaian Times newspaper and worked tirelessly to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

In more recent times, the ATTOH surname has spread beyond West Africa, with individuals bearing this name found in various parts of the world. One notable example is Samuel ATTOH (born 1962), a Ghanaian-American actor and filmmaker known for his roles in films such as "Gideon's Daughter" and "The Punisher."

The ATTOH surname has a rich history rooted in the Akan culture of West Africa, initially associated with the role of gatekeepers and protectors. Over time, it has become a prominent name carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in fields ranging from politics and education to journalism and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Attoh

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

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

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

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