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

Kankam, 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 Kankam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kankam in America

Kankam is the 94311th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kankam surname appeared 194 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 Kankam.

The history of the last name Kankam

The surname KANKAM originated in Ghana, West Africa, and can be traced back to the early 19th century. It is derived from the Twi language spoken by the Akan people, with "kan" meaning "born on" and "kam" referring to a particular day of the week. This suggests that KANKAM was initially a name given to children based on the day they were born.

KANKAM is predominantly found in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, particularly in the city of Kumasi and surrounding areas. The earliest known record of the name appears in a handwritten register of births from a village near Kumasi, dated around 1820.

One notable figure with this surname was Kwame Kankam (1892-1967), a prominent Ghanaian educator and advocate for traditional Akan culture. He served as the headmaster of several prestigious schools in Kumasi and authored several books on Akan customs and history.

Another individual of historical significance was Akua Kankam (1910-1998), a renowned Ghanaian potter and ceramic artist. Her work was celebrated for its intricate designs and vibrant colors, blending traditional Akan motifs with contemporary styles. Several of her pieces are displayed in museums across Ghana and abroad.

In the early 20th century, a man named Kofi Kankam (1901-1976) gained recognition for his role in the Ghanaian independence movement. He was a dedicated activist and organizer, rallying support for the cause and participating in numerous protests against British colonial rule.

Historically, the name KANKAM was also associated with certain villages and settlements in the Ashanti Region. For instance, the village of Kankam Nkwanta, located near the city of Obuasi, was known for its thriving community of farmers and traders bearing this surname.

Additionally, there are records of an Akan chief named Nana Kankam (1872-1941) who ruled over a small kingdom in the Ashanti Region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was renowned for his diplomatic skills and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kankam

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

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

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

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