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

Dankwa, 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 Dankwa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dankwa in America

Dankwa is the 109758th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dankwa surname appeared 161 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 Dankwa.

The history of the last name Dankwa

The surname Dankwa has its origins in the West African nation of Ghana. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th or 17th century among the Akan people, one of the largest ethnic groups in the country. The name is derived from the Akan language and is thought to have its roots in the word "dank," which means "worthy" or "esteemed."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dankwa can be found in the oral traditions and historical narratives of the Akan people. These stories and accounts, passed down through generations, often mentioned individuals with the surname Dankwa, indicating its longstanding presence in the region.

In the late 18th century, the name Dankwa appeared in written records kept by European traders and missionaries who had established contacts with the Akan communities. These records, while incomplete, provide glimpses into the lives of individuals bearing the surname during that time period.

Among the notable individuals with the surname Dankwa throughout history are Nana Kwasi Dankwa (1845-1910), a prominent chief and leader of the Asante people, and Kwame Dankwa (1870-1935), a renowned educator and advocate for Akan cultural preservation.

Another significant figure was Ofori Dankwa (1905-1972), a renowned lawyer and politician who played a pivotal role in Ghana's independence movement. He served as the first President of the National Assembly of Ghana after the country gained independence in 1957.

The name Dankwa has also been associated with various place names in Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, where the Akan people have historically been concentrated. For example, the town of Dankwa-Nkwanta is believed to have derived its name from individuals with the surname Dankwa who settled in the area.

It is worth noting that the spelling of the name Dankwa has remained relatively consistent throughout its history, although minor variations may have existed in earlier times due to the absence of standardized orthography.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dankwa

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

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

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

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