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

Kabongo, 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 Kabongo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kabongo in America

Kabongo is the 113155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kabongo surname appeared 155 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 Kabongo.

The history of the last name Kabongo

The surname Kabongo is believed to have originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically in the central region of the country. It is derived from the Bantu language group and is thought to have roots in the Kikongo language spoken by the Kongo people.

The name Kabongo is closely tied to the Kongo Kingdom, a pre-colonial state that existed in the region from the 14th to the 19th century. Historical records indicate that the name was prominent among the nobility and ruling class of the Kongo Kingdom, suggesting its association with power and status.

One of the earliest references to the name Kabongo can be found in Portuguese chronicles from the 16th century, documenting the interactions between Portuguese explorers and the rulers of the Kongo Kingdom. These records mention individuals with the surname Kabongo holding influential positions within the kingdom's hierarchy.

The earliest known bearer of the surname Kabongo is Nzinga Mbemba, who ruled the Kongo Kingdom from 1506 to 1543. He was a powerful and influential leader who played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity in the region and is often referred to as Afonso I in Portuguese sources.

Another notable figure with the surname Kabongo is Antônio Kabongo, a 17th-century Kongo nobleman and military commander. He played a significant role in the resistance against Portuguese colonial rule and is remembered for his leadership in the Battle of Mbwila in 1665.

In the 19th century, a prominent figure named Henrique Kabongo gained recognition as a diplomat and negotiator between the Kongo Kingdom and various European powers vying for control over the region. His efforts contributed to the preservation of the kingdom's autonomy during a period of intense colonial expansion.

The surname Kabongo has also been linked to various place names in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, such as the town of Kabongo in the Lualaba Province. This association further strengthens the connection between the name and the geographical region.

Throughout history, the surname Kabongo has been associated with individuals of significant influence and leadership within the Kongo Kingdom and the broader region of central Africa. Its enduring presence reflects the rich cultural heritage and historical importance of this region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kabongo

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

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

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

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