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

Lafaele, 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 Lafaele surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lafaele in America

Lafaele is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lafaele surname appeared 132 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 Lafaele.

The history of the last name Lafaele

The surname LAFAELE is of Samoan origin, tracing its roots back to the beautiful Pacific islands of Samoa. This name emerged during the late 18th century and early 19th century when written records began documenting names in the region.

The name LAFAELE is derived from the Samoan words "la" meaning "the" and "faele" which translates to "traveling". It is believed to have been initially given as a descriptive name to individuals or families who frequently traveled or migrated within the Samoan islands or to other neighboring islands.

Early written records mentioning individuals with the surname LAFAELE can be found in missionary accounts and colonial documents from the 1800s. One of the earliest known references is in the journal of English missionary John Williams, who documented interactions with a chief named Lafaele during his visit to Samoa in 1832.

Notable individuals throughout history who carried the LAFAELE surname include Lafaele Toleafoa (1838-1912), a prominent chief and orator from the village of Falealili, who played a significant role in the political affairs of Samoa during the late 19th century. Another notable figure was Lafaele Taumua (1865-1945), a respected pastor and educator who established several schools in Samoa and contributed to the preservation of Samoan language and culture.

In the 20th century, Lafaele Tauiliili (1902-1978) was a distinguished Samoan leader who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly and played a crucial role in Samoa's transition towards self-governance. Lafaele Maka (1920-2002) was a renowned artist and woodcarver, renowned for his intricate and iconic Samoan woodcarvings that depicted traditional motifs and cultural symbolism.

Another notable figure was Lafaele Samuelu Tuitele (1935-2018), a highly respected matai (chief) and advocate for Samoan customary land rights, who served as a member of the Council of Deputies and played a pivotal role in shaping land policies in Samoa.

While the surname LAFAELE has its origins in the Samoan islands, it has since spread to other parts of the world, carried by Samoan migrants and diasporic communities. However, its historical significance and connection to Samoan culture and identity remain deeply rooted in the Polynesian islands where it first emerged.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lafaele

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

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

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

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