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

Issah, 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 Issah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Issah in America

Issah is the 141140th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Issah surname appeared 118 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 Issah.

The history of the last name Issah

The surname ISSAH originates from West Africa, specifically Ghana, and has its roots in the Akan language spoken by the Ashanti people. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th century, around the time of the establishment of the powerful Ashanti Empire.

The name ISSAH is derived from the Akan word 'ɛsɛ', which translates to 'grace' or 'favor'. It is thought to have been initially bestowed upon individuals who were perceived as being particularly blessed or fortunate, reflecting the cultural values and beliefs of the Ashanti people.

Historical records from the Ashanti Empire indicate that the name ISSAH was borne by several prominent figures, including ISSAH Akromah, a renowned warrior and military strategist who played a pivotal role in the empire's expansion during the late 16th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was ISSAH Kwadwo, a skilled diplomat and advisor to the Ashanti King Osei Tutu I in the late 17th century. Kwadwo's diplomatic efforts were instrumental in securing alliances and trade agreements with neighboring kingdoms, contributing to the empire's prosperity.

In the 18th century, ISSAH Opoku emerged as a respected scholar and teacher, renowned for his knowledge of Ashanti history, traditions, and oral literature. His teachings and writings helped preserve and disseminate the cultural heritage of the Ashanti people.

As the Ashanti Empire expanded its influence across West Africa, the name ISSAH spread to other regions and ethnic groups, undergoing various spelling variations, such as Issa, Isah, or Issa.

One notable figure from a later period was ISSAH Nkrumah, a prominent Ghanaian politician and intellectual who played a significant role in the country's independence movement in the mid-20th century, serving as a mentor to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president.

Throughout its history, the surname ISSAH has been associated with individuals who have made notable contributions to their communities, whether in the realms of warfare, diplomacy, education, or politics, reflecting the positive connotations of grace and favor embedded in its Akan roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Issah

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

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

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

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