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

Kargbo, 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 Kargbo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kargbo in America

Kargbo is the 23397th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kargbo surname appeared 1,087 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 Kargbo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kargbo to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Kargbo

The surname Kargbo has its origins in Sierra Leone, West Africa, dating back to the 18th century. It is believed to be derived from the Temne word "kar-gbo," which translates to "town guard" or "village sentry." This suggests that the name may have originally been associated with individuals who held positions of authority and responsibility within their communities.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kargbo can be found in colonial records from the British Empire's presence in Sierra Leone during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These records often referred to individuals with the surname as local chiefs, interpreters, or intermediaries between the colonial authorities and the indigenous population.

One notable figure from this period was Chief Kargbo of the Loko people, who played a significant role in negotiating treaties and land agreements with the British in the early 1800s. His influence and leadership during this turbulent era earned him a respected place in the history of Sierra Leone.

As the name spread through generations, it became more widely distributed across various regions of Sierra Leone. In the late 19th century, the Kargbo family established a prominent presence in the Northern Province, particularly in the town of Kamabai.

During the 20th century, several individuals with the Kargbo surname achieved notable positions and made significant contributions to Sierra Leonean society. Among them was Edward Kargbo (1910-1989), a prominent educator and politician who served as the Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs in the 1960s.

Another prominent figure was Dr. Santigie Kargbo (1936-2021), a renowned medical doctor and public health expert who played a crucial role in Sierra Leone's healthcare system, serving as the Minister of Health and Sanitation from 1996 to 2002.

In the field of literature, Syl Cheney-Coker (née Kargbo) (1945-2021) was a celebrated Sierra Leonean poet, novelist, and scholar whose works explored themes of identity, culture, and the human condition.

While the Kargbo surname has its roots in Sierra Leone, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. Individuals bearing this name can be found in various countries, carrying with them the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of their ancestral lineage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kargbo

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

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 Kargbo 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Kargbo has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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