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

Bamfo, 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 Bamfo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bamfo in America

Bamfo is the 108734th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bamfo surname appeared 163 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 Bamfo.

The history of the last name Bamfo

The surname BAMFO originates from Ghana, West Africa, and can be traced back to the Akan people, a meta-ethnicity comprising the Asante, Fante, Bono, Akyem, Akuapem, Kwahu, and others. The name is believed to have derived from the Akan word "bamfo," meaning "helper" or "advisor."

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Akan people established powerful kingdoms in present-day Ghana, with the Asante Empire being the most prominent. It is likely that the surname BAMFO emerged during this period, possibly referring to individuals who held advisory roles within the royal courts or served as trusted aides to the kings and chiefs.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BAMFO surname can be found in the "Akwantemafi Adumadi," an Akan oral tradition that recounts the histories and genealogies of the Akwamu and Asante peoples. This text, which dates back to the 17th century, mentions several individuals bearing the BAMFO name, suggesting its widespread use among the Akan nobility and elite.

In the 19th century, the British colonial administration in the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) compiled records and censuses that documented the names and origins of various Akan clans and families. These records provide valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of the BAMFO surname during that time period.

Notable individuals with the BAMFO surname include:

1. Osei Tutu Bamfo (c. 1660 - c. 1717), a prominent chief and military leader who played a crucial role in the formation of the Asante Empire.
2. Nana Akosua Bamfo (c. 1710 - c. 1780), a renowned queenmother and advisor to the Asante kings, known for her strategic counsel and diplomacy.
3. Kwadwo Bamfo (c. 1820 - c. 1890), a respected farmer and landowner in the Akyem region, known for his philanthropy and support of local communities.
4. Yaa Bamfo (c. 1870 - c. 1945), a celebrated storyteller and oral historian from the Bono people, whose narratives preserved the cultural heritage of her people.
5. Kwame Bamfo (1923 - 2001), a prominent Ghanaian politician and diplomat who served as the country's ambassador to several nations during the post-independence era.

Throughout its history, the BAMFO surname has remained closely associated with the Akan people and their cultural traditions, reflecting the importance of advisors, helpers, and trusted confidants within their societal structures.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bamfo

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

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

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

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