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

Eyo, 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 Eyo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Eyo in America

Eyo is the 128249th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Eyo surname appeared 133 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 Eyo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Eyo 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 Eyo

The surname EYO is believed to have originated in Nigeria, with its roots tracing back to the 18th century. It is primarily associated with the Efik people, an ethnic group concentrated in the Cross River State of southeastern Nigeria.

The name EYO is derived from the Efik word "eyo," which means "masquerade" or "feast." This suggests that the surname may have originated from individuals who were involved in organizing or participating in traditional masquerade festivals or ceremonies celebrated by the Efik people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname EYO can be found in the writings of Scottish missionary and explorer Mary Slessor, who worked among the Efik people in the late 19th century. In her letters and journals, she mentions several individuals with the surname EYO, indicating its prevalence in the region during that time.

Among the notable individuals with the surname EYO throughout history, we find Eyo Etim Eyo, a prominent Efik chief who lived in the 19th century and played a significant role in the negotiations between the British colonial authorities and the Efik people. Another notable figure is Eyo Wilkie Eyo, a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Eastern Nigerian House of Assembly in the 1960s.

In the realm of academia, we have Professor Eno-Obong Eyo, a renowned Nigerian archaeologist and historian who has made significant contributions to the study of the Efik culture and history. His works have shed light on the rich heritage and traditions of the Efik people.

The surname EYO has also been associated with the town of Eyo Abasi, a historic settlement in the Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. The town's name, which translates to "God's Masquerade," further reinforces the connection between the surname and the masquerade traditions of the Efik people.

Another notable individual with the surname EYO is Eyo Akese Eyo, a Nigerian artist and sculptor who gained recognition for his intricate wood carvings and sculptures depicting Efik cultural themes and traditions.

While the surname EYO has its roots in Nigeria's Efik people, it has since spread to other parts of the country and beyond, as individuals with this surname have migrated and settled in different regions over the years.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Eyo

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

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

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

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