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

Iyamu, 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 Iyamu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Iyamu in America

Iyamu is the 125282nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Iyamu surname appeared 137 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 Iyamu.

The history of the last name Iyamu

The surname "IYAMU" has its roots in the Edo language and culture of present-day Nigeria. The name is believed to have originated in the ancient Kingdom of Benin, which existed from the 13th to the 19th century in the southern region of modern-day Nigeria.

The word "Iyamu" in the Edo language is derived from the phrase "iya mu," which translates to "my mother's child." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive term used to identify individuals by their maternal lineage.

Historically, the Edo people placed great emphasis on matrilineal descent, and family names were often passed down through the mother's side. This cultural practice could explain the maternal connotation of the name "Iyamu."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the oral histories and traditions of the Edo people. These oral narratives, which were passed down through generations, often mentioned individuals with the surname "Iyamu" as prominent figures in the Kingdom of Benin.

Notable historical figures with the surname "Iyamu" include Oba Ewuare the Great (ca. 1440-1473), the renowned ruler of the Kingdom of Benin who is credited with expanding the kingdom's territories and implementing significant reforms. Another prominent individual was Iyamu Obaseki, a skilled brass caster who lived in the 16th century and was responsible for creating some of the iconic brass sculptures and plaques that adorned the royal palace in Benin City.

In the 18th century, a chief named Iyamu Ogbebor was recorded as a respected leader in the village of Ughoton, known for his wisdom and diplomatic skills in resolving conflicts.

During the 19th century, an influential trader named Iyamu Ekhaguosa played a significant role in the trade networks between the Kingdom of Benin and European merchants, facilitating the exchange of goods and cultural interactions.

It is worth noting that variations in spelling and pronunciation of the name "Iyamu" may have occurred over time, as the name was adapted to different regions and languages within Nigeria and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Iyamu

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

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

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

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