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

Iwu, 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 Iwu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Iwu in America

Iwu is the 111988th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Iwu surname appeared 157 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 Iwu.

The history of the last name Iwu

The surname Iwu originates from the Igbo ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have derived from the Igbo word "iwu," meaning "law" or "rule." The name first appeared in historical records during the 16th century when the Igbo people established several powerful kingdoms and chieftaincies in the region.

One of the earliest documented references to the Iwu surname can be found in the records of the Onitsha Kingdom, which ruled over a significant portion of present-day Anambra State. These records mention notable individuals with the Iwu surname serving as advisors or council members to the Onitsha monarchs.

In the 17th century, the Iwu surname gained prominence in the Nri Kingdom, which is considered the ancestral homeland of the Igbo people. The Nri Kingdom's oral traditions and historical accounts mention several Iwu families holding influential positions within the kingdom's administrative and cultural structures.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Iwu surname became more widespread throughout Igboland as trade and migration patterns expanded. Prominent individuals with the Iwu surname included Eze Iwu, a respected trader and diplomat who facilitated commercial relationships between the Igbo people and European merchants in the late 18th century.

Another notable figure was Nwamaka Iwu, a renowned poet and storyteller who lived in the early 19th century. Her works were celebrated for preserving and transmitting Igbo cultural traditions and values.

In the 20th century, several Iwu individuals made significant contributions to various fields. Chukwuemeka Iwu (1909-1995) was a pioneering educator who established one of the first secondary schools in eastern Nigeria, promoting education and literacy among the Igbo people.

Ngozi Iwu (1927-2011) was a celebrated artist and sculptor, renowned for her intricate wood carvings and representations of Igbo cultural themes.

More recently, Onyebuchi Iwu (1951-present) has gained international recognition as a celebrated writer and journalist, known for his insightful works exploring Igbo identity and the African diaspora experience.

While the Iwu surname has its roots in southeastern Nigeria, it has since spread globally through migration and diaspora communities. However, the name's origins can be traced back to the ancient Igbo kingdoms and their rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Iwu

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

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

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

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