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

Bempah, 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 Bempah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bempah in America

Bempah is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bempah surname appeared 109 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 Bempah.

The history of the last name Bempah

The surname BEMPAH originates from Ghana, where it first appeared in the 16th century among the Akan people. The name is derived from the Twi language, with "bem" meaning "to lead" and "pah" meaning "messenger" or "ambassador". This suggests the name may have been given to those who served as emissaries or diplomats.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BEMPAH surname can be found in the oral histories and genealogies of the Ashanti Kingdom, a powerful empire that ruled parts of modern-day Ghana and neighboring regions from the late 17th to late 19th centuries. The name is also mentioned in some Portuguese and Dutch records from the time, as these European powers had trading posts and settlements along the Ghanaian coast.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Kofi BEMPAH is recorded as having been a trusted advisor and negotiator for the Asantehene (ruler) Osei Tutu Opoku. Kofi BEMPAH played a crucial role in brokering alliances and resolving conflicts between the Ashanti and neighboring kingdoms.

Another notable BEMPAH from history is Nana Adwoa BEMPAH, a revered Queen Mother who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. She was renowned for her wisdom, leadership, and diplomatic skills, and is credited with helping to maintain peace and stability in the Ashanti Kingdom during a period of political turmoil.

In the 20th century, a prominent figure was Kwesi BEMPAH (1905-1988), a Ghanaian lawyer and politician who served as a member of the country's parliament and was a vocal advocate for independence from British colonial rule.

Another well-known BEMPAH was Kwame BEMPAH (1927-2014), a Ghanaian journalist and author who wrote extensively about the country's history and culture. His works were influential in preserving and promoting the traditions and heritage of the Akan people.

The BEMPAH surname has also spread to other parts of West Africa, particularly in neighboring countries like Ivory Coast and Togo, where there are significant Akan populations. While the name retains its historical roots and associations with leadership and diplomacy, it has also taken on broader meanings and connotations over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bempah

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

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

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

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