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

Dosunmu, 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 Dosunmu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dosunmu in America

Dosunmu is the 90495th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dosunmu surname appeared 204 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 Dosunmu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dosunmu 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 Dosunmu

The surname Dosunmu is believed to have originated from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, with the earliest documented records dating back to the 16th century. The name is derived from the Yoruba words "odo" and "sunmu," which translate to "river" and "to propitiate" or "to revere," respectively. This suggests that the name likely referred to an individual or a group of people who lived near a river and held it in high regard, possibly for religious or spiritual reasons.

During the pre-colonial era, the Yoruba kingdoms of Oyo, Iyo, and Ife were prominent centers of cultural and political influence in the region. It is within these kingdoms that the Dosunmu name is believed to have first emerged and gained prominence. Some of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in oral histories and genealogical records kept by traditional Yoruba historians and griots.

One of the earliest notable individuals bearing the Dosunmu surname was Ogunlana Dosunmu, a renowned warrior and military leader who lived in the late 17th century. His exploits were recorded in the oral traditions of the Oyo Empire, where he played a pivotal role in defending the kingdom against rival states and expanding its territories.

In the 19th century, Reverend Samuel Ajayi Dosunmu (1807-1887) was a prominent figure in the early Christian missionary efforts in Yorubaland. He was one of the first Yoruba individuals to be ordained as a minister and played a crucial role in translating the Bible into the Yoruba language, facilitating the spread of Christianity in the region.

Another notable figure was Sophia Oluwole Dosunmu (1885-1968), a pioneering educator and women's rights advocate. She established one of the first formal schools for girls in Lagos, Nigeria, and was instrumental in promoting female education and empowerment during a time when these opportunities were limited.

Towards the end of the 19th century, Adeyemi Dosunmu (1874-1939) was a prominent merchant and political figure in Lagos. He served as a member of the Lagos Legislative Council and was actively involved in the early nationalist movements that advocated for greater self-governance and rights for Nigerians under British colonial rule.

Lastly, Adekunle Dosunmu (1920-2003) was a renowned artist and sculptor who gained international recognition for his pioneering work in promoting contemporary African art. His sculptures and installations were featured in numerous exhibitions worldwide and helped to bring greater attention to the vibrant artistic traditions of Nigeria and West Africa.

While these examples represent just a few of the notable individuals with the Dosunmu surname throughout history, they illustrate the diverse backgrounds and contributions associated with this name, which has its roots deeply embedded in the cultural and historical fabric of Yorubaland and Nigeria.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dosunmu

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

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

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

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