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

Ikpe, 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 Ikpe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ikpe in America

Ikpe is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ikpe surname appeared 134 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 Ikpe.

The history of the last name Ikpe

The surname IKPE originates from the Annang people, an ethnic group found in Nigeria's Akwa Ibom State. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th century. The name is derived from the Annang language and is thought to be related to the word "ikpe," which means "to judge" or "to govern."

Early records suggest that the IKPE surname was particularly prevalent in the Annang villages of Ikot Obong Edim and Ikot Ubo. In the 18th century, the name appeared in several local court documents and land ownership records, indicating that members of the IKPE family held positions of authority within these communities.

One of the earliest known individuals with the IKPE surname was Chief Obot Ikpe (c. 1720-1798), a prominent village leader and landowner in Ikot Obong Edim. He was renowned for his wisdom and fair judgment, which earned him the respect of his peers.

In the 19th century, the IKPE name gained wider recognition with the birth of Obong Ikpe Ene (1825-1892), a renowned Annang chief and warrior. He played a significant role in defending his people against the neighboring Ibibio and Efik tribes during territorial disputes.

Another notable figure was Obong Ikpe Inyang (1850-1927), a respected religious leader and herbalist who contributed to the preservation of Annang traditional practices and beliefs. His teachings and knowledge of medicinal plants were widely sought after by his contemporaries.

During the colonial era, the IKPE surname appeared in British administrative records, such as tax registers and census documents. One such record from 1902 mentions Obong Ikpe Udo (1870-1945), a village chief who negotiated land agreements with the colonial authorities.

In more recent times, the IKPE name has been carried by individuals like Ini Ikpe (1925-2010), a pioneering educator who established several schools in Akwa Ibom State, and Eno Ikpe (1952-present), a renowned artist known for her intricate weaving and textile designs.

While the IKPE surname may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, it remains deeply rooted in the Annang cultural heritage, reflecting a rich history of leadership, wisdom, and tradition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ikpe

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

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

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

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