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

Bonsu, 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 Bonsu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bonsu in America

Bonsu is the 26492nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bonsu surname appeared 921 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 Bonsu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bonsu 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 Bonsu

The surname BONSU originated in the Akan regions of present-day Ghana, West Africa. It is derived from the Akan words "bon" meaning "to summon" and "su" meaning "spirit" or "soul". Thus, BONSU essentially means "one who summons spirits" or "summoner of souls".

During the pre-colonial period in Ghana, the BONSU name was prominent among traditional spiritual leaders, including priests, diviners, and healers who communicated with the spiritual realm. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 16th century when it appeared in oral histories and traditions passed down through generations.

One notable BONSU figure was Nana Bonsu Panyin, a renowned spiritual leader and advisor to the Asante King Osei Tutu I in the late 17th century. He played a crucial role in the formation of the powerful Asante Empire, guiding the king through spiritual rituals and divination.

In the 18th century, the BONSU name gained prominence in the Akuapem region of Ghana. Opoku Bonsu, a distinguished chief and diplomat, was instrumental in negotiating peace treaties between the Akuapem and the neighboring Akyem people, resolving long-standing conflicts.

Another prominent BONSU was Kwasi Bonsu, a renowned herbalist and healer who lived in the early 19th century. His extensive knowledge of traditional medicine and spiritual practices earned him widespread respect across the Akan territories.

During the colonial era, the BONSU name continued to be associated with spiritual leadership and traditional practices. However, as Christianity and Western education spread, many BONSU families adopted new professions while maintaining their cultural heritage.

One such figure was Kwame Bonsu, born in 1892, who became a prominent educator and advocate for African education. He established several schools in the Akan regions, promoting the importance of preserving cultural traditions while embracing modern learning.

In more recent times, the BONSU name has continued to be represented in various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts. Akosua Bonsu, born in 1935, was a celebrated Ghanaian writer and poet whose works explored the rich cultural tapestry of the Akan people.

The BONSU surname has endured through the centuries, carrying the legacy of spiritual wisdom, leadership, and a deep connection to the cultural heritage of the Akan people in Ghana.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bonsu

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!