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

Begay, 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 Begay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Begay in America

Begay is the 2053rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Begay surname appeared 17,553 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 6 people would have the surname Begay.

We can also compare 2010 data for Begay to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Begay

The surname BEGAY has its origins in the Navajo Nation, a Native American territory located in the Southwestern United States. The name is derived from the Navajo word "béégashii," which translates to "male child" or "little boy." This suggests that the name may have been used as a descriptive term or nickname before becoming a hereditary surname.

The earliest recorded instances of the BEGAY surname date back to the mid-19th century, when the Navajo people began adopting European naming conventions. One of the earliest documented individuals with the BEGAY surname was Manuelito Begay, a renowned Navajo leader and warrior who lived from approximately 1818 to 1893. He played a pivotal role in the Navajo Wars against the United States government and was eventually instrumental in negotiating the return of his people to their ancestral lands after their forced relocation to Bosque Redondo.

Another notable figure with the BEGAY surname was Fred Begay, a Navajo painter and sculptor born in 1914. He was renowned for his depictions of Navajo life and culture, and his works are displayed in various museums and galleries across the United States.

In more recent times, Jacoby Begay, born in 1954, has gained recognition as a Navajo artist and jeweler. His intricate jewelry designs often incorporate traditional Navajo symbols and motifs, reflecting his deep connection to his cultural heritage.

Wilma Mankiller, born in 1945 as Wilma Pearl Mankiller, was a prominent figure in Native American politics and activism. Although not born with the BEGAY surname, she married Charley Soap Begay in 1963, briefly adopting the name Wilma Mankiller Begay before reverting to her maiden name.

Another notable figure is Shawn Begay, a contemporary artist and member of the Navajo Nation. Born in 1981, Begay's works often explore themes of identity, culture, and the intersection of traditional and modern perspectives.

It is worth noting that while the BEGAY surname is primarily associated with the Navajo Nation, it may also have been adopted by other Native American tribes or communities through intermarriage or cultural exchange. However, the historical and cultural significance of this surname remains deeply rooted in the Navajo tradition and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Begay

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

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 Begay 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Begay has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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