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

Kayembe, 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 Kayembe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kayembe in America

Kayembe is the 116201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kayembe surname appeared 150 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 Kayembe.

The history of the last name Kayembe

The surname Kayembe has its origins in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country located in Central Africa. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th century, stemming from the Kibangi language spoken by the Bantu ethnic group.

The name Kayembe is derived from the word "kayembe," which translates to "a place of gathering" or "a meeting point" in the Kibangi language. This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with a specific location or a gathering place for the community.

Historical records indicate that the name Kayembe was first documented in the late 17th century, appearing in the accounts of Portuguese explorers and missionaries who visited the region. One notable mention can be found in the diary of Father Manuel da Silva, a Portuguese missionary who recorded his encounters with a local chief named Kayembe during his travels in 1692.

In the 18th century, the name Kayembe gained prominence as it was associated with a powerful chieftain named Kayembe Lumbila, who ruled over a vast territory in the present-day Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kayembe Lumbila's reign was marked by his efforts to resist Portuguese colonization and maintain the autonomy of his people.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Kayembe was Kayembe Mwandala, a renowned traditional healer and spiritual leader who lived in the late 19th century. Kayembe Mwandala was widely respected for his extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and his role in preserving the cultural traditions of the Kibangi people.

In the 20th century, the name Kayembe gained recognition in the literary world with the works of Kayembe Makaya, a Congolese writer and poet born in 1924. Kayembe Makaya's works explored themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the impact of colonialism on African societies. He was celebrated for his poetic storytelling and his contributions to the preservation of oral traditions.

Another prominent figure with the surname Kayembe was Kayembe Ntamba, a Congolese politician and diplomat born in 1938. Kayembe Ntamba served as the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1982 to 1986 and played a crucial role in shaping the country's international relations during that period.

Throughout its history, the surname Kayembe has maintained a strong connection to the Kibangi people and their cultural heritage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While its origins can be traced back to the 16th century, the name has continued to be passed down through generations, carrying with it a rich tapestry of stories and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kayembe

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

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

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

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