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

Fifita, 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 Fifita surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fifita in America

Fifita is the 32710th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fifita surname appeared 702 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 Fifita.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fifita 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 Fifita

The surname FIFITA is believed to have originated in the Polynesian islands of Tonga and Samoa. It is a name that can be traced back to the early 18th century, derived from the Tongan and Samoan words "fifi" meaning "to braid" and "ta" meaning "to strike or hit," suggesting a connection to the traditional art of weaving and handicrafts.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name FIFITA can be found in the journals of British explorer Samuel Wallis, who visited the Tongan islands in 1767. Wallis documented his interactions with local chiefs, including one named Fifita, whom he described as a skilled negotiator and leader.

During the 19th century, the FIFITA name gained prominence in Tonga, with several individuals holding influential positions within the royal court and government. Notably, Siaosi Fifita, born in 1825, served as the Prime Minister of Tonga from 1879 to 1890, playing a crucial role in the establishment of the country's constitutional monarchy.

Another notable figure bearing the FIFITA name was Laumanu'u Fifita, a renowned Tongan warrior and chief who lived in the late 18th century. He was celebrated for his bravery and leadership during the Tongan civil wars, and his exploits were chronicled in various oral traditions and historical accounts.

In Samoa, the FIFITA name has also been associated with several prominent figures throughout history. One such individual was Tuimaualuga Fifita, a respected orator and chief who lived in the early 19th century. He was known for his exceptional oratory skills and his ability to resolve conflicts through diplomacy and negotiation.

The name FIFITA has also been found in other parts of the Pacific, such as Fiji and New Zealand, likely due to the migration and intermarriage of Polynesian peoples over the centuries. In Fiji, for instance, there are records of a chief named Fifita who played a significant role in the island's history during the late 18th century.

While the FIFITA name has its roots in the Polynesian islands, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. Today, individuals bearing this surname can be found in countries like Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and various European nations, with each family carrying their own unique history and cultural traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fifita

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

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

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

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