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

Kouyaté, 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 Kouyaté surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kouyaté in America

Kouyaté is the 58876th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kouyaté surname appeared 344 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 Kouyaté.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kouyaté 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 Kouyaté

The surname Kouyate has its origins in West Africa, specifically Guinea. It is a Mandinka name that can be traced back to the medieval period and the Mali Empire, which flourished between the 13th and 17th centuries. The name is derived from the Mandinka word "koy," meaning "master" or "guardian," and the suffix "-ate," indicating a family or group.

The earliest known references to the Kouyate name can be found in oral traditions and historical accounts of the Mali Empire. It is believed that the Kouyate family held influential positions within the empire's social and political structure, serving as advisors, diplomats, and historians to the ruling dynasties.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Kouyate surname was Balla Fasseke Kouyate, a renowned griot (storyteller and oral historian) who lived during the reign of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire, in the early 13th century. Balla Fasseke Kouyate played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the epic tales and history of the Mandinka people.

Throughout the centuries, the Kouyate family has produced numerous prominent figures, including scholars, writers, and musicians. Among them was Mukhtar Kouyate, a renowned Mandinka scholar and historian who lived in the 17th century and authored several works documenting the history and traditions of the Mandinka people.

Another notable figure was Lamine Kouyate, a 19th-century Mandinka scholar and writer who played a significant role in preserving and promoting the literary and cultural heritage of the Mandinka people. His works, including the epic poem "Sunjata," have become important sources for understanding the history and traditions of the Mali Empire.

In the 20th century, Djibril Tamsir Kouyate, a Senegalese scholar and writer, gained recognition for his contributions to the study of Mandinka language, literature, and culture. His works, such as "Dictionnaire Bambara-Français" and "Grammaire Bambara," have become invaluable resources for researchers and students.

Mamadou Kouyate, a renowned Malian griot and musician, has also played a significant role in preserving and promoting the rich musical traditions of the Mandinka people. His performances and recordings have earned him international acclaim and recognition as a cultural ambassador for Mali.

While the Kouyate surname has its roots in West Africa, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical significance and cultural value of this name remain deeply rooted in the rich heritage of the Mandinka people and the Mali Empire.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kouyaté

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

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

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

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