Darkwa last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Darkwa

A surname of Ghanaian/Akan origin meaning "born on Monday" or "child of Monday".

Darkwa, 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 Darkwa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Darkwa in America

Darkwa is the 116829th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Darkwa surname appeared 149 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 Darkwa.

The history of the last name Darkwa

The surname Darkwa originates from Ghana, a country located in West Africa. Its roots can be traced back to the Akan people, one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. The name is believed to have emerged sometime around the 16th or 17th century.

Darkwa is thought to be derived from the Akan word "dwarku," which means "thick forest" or "dense woodland." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to individuals who lived in or near heavily forested areas. Alternatively, it could have been used as a descriptive name for someone who was skilled in navigating or working within dense forests.

One of the earliest known records of the name Darkwa can be found in a collection of oral histories and genealogies compiled by Akan elders in the late 18th century. These accounts mention several individuals with the surname, indicating its usage and recognition within the community at that time.

In the 19th century, the name Darkwa appeared in various colonial records and documents, such as census reports and land registers, further solidifying its presence in the region. One notable figure from this period was Kwaku Darkwa, a prominent farmer and community leader who lived in the Ashanti region of Ghana in the mid-1800s.

As the Akan people migrated and settled in different parts of Ghana and neighboring countries, the surname Darkwa spread and gained recognition across a broader geographical area. Kwasi Darkwa, a renowned educator and author, was born in Ghana in 1891 and played a significant role in promoting literacy and education among the Akan people.

Another individual of note was Yaa Darkwa, a respected herbalist and traditional healer who lived in the early 20th century. Her knowledge of medicinal plants and healing practices was widely sought after and passed down through generations within her community.

In the late 20th century, Kofi Darkwa, a Ghanaian diplomat and politician, made significant contributions to his country's international relations. He served as an ambassador to several nations and played a crucial role in promoting Ghana's interests on the global stage.

While the surname Darkwa has its roots in Ghana and the Akan people, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and cultural significance remain deeply rooted in the history and traditions of West Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Darkwa

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

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 Darkwa was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Black Only 94.63% 141
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 3.36% 5

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

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

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"Darkwa last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 25, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/darkwa-surname-popularity/.

"Darkwa last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/darkwa-surname-popularity/. Accessed 25 November, 2024

Darkwa last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/darkwa-surname-popularity/.

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