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

Edo, 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 Edo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Edo in America

Edo is the 96799th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Edo surname appeared 188 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 Edo.

The history of the last name Edo

The surname Edo originates from the Edo people, an ethnic group in southern Nigeria. The name is believed to have derived from the phrase "Edo gba rie," meaning "the Edo people have arisen" in the Edo language.

The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 12th century, when the Edo people established the Benin Kingdom, one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa. The name was prominently featured in various historical texts and records related to the Benin Kingdom.

One notable reference can be found in the "Ajami" manuscripts, which were written in Arabic script but used the Edo language. These manuscripts documented various aspects of Edo culture, including their history, traditions, and customs.

During the 15th century, the Portuguese explorer Duarte Pacheco Pereira mentioned the Edo people and their kingdom in his writings, referring to them as the "Idaco" or "Ido." This early European account provides further evidence of the name's existence and usage.

Among the notable individuals who bore the surname Edo throughout history are:

1. Oba Ewuare the Great (c. 1440-1473), a prominent ruler of the Benin Kingdom who is credited with expanding the kingdom's territory and strengthening its military might.

2. Oba Esigie (c. 1516-1550), another influential ruler of the Benin Kingdom, known for his diplomatic skills and promotion of commerce with the Portuguese.

3. Oba Ovonramwen (1857-1914), the last independent ruler of the Benin Kingdom, who was deposed and exiled by the British in 1897 during the Benin Expedition.

4. Samuel Edo (1869-1944), a Nigerian Baptist missionary and educator who played a significant role in establishing schools and churches in the Edo region.

5. Philip Edo (1923-1999), a Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Education and later as the Ambassador to the United States.

While the name Edo has its roots in the Edo people of Nigeria, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom and the Edo ethnic group.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Edo

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

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

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

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