Lamptey
Of Ghanaian origin, meaning a person from Lamptey village or town.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 480 Americans carry the last name Lamptey. That puts it at #49,723 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.14 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 714,072 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lamptey surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
480
1 in 714,072
Census rank
#49,723
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
422
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 422 bearers of the surname Lamptey in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 49723rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lamptey, the largest self-reported group is Black at 95.7%. The next largest groups are White (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lamptey
The surname Lamptey originates from the West African country of Ghana. It is believed to have its roots in the Akan language spoken by various ethnic groups in the region. The name likely dates back to the 16th or 17th century when the trans-Atlantic slave trade was at its peak.
The name Lamptey is thought to be derived from the Akan word "lam," which means "to weave" or "to intertwine." It is possible that the name was initially given to individuals who worked as weavers or were involved in the weaving trade, which was a significant economic activity in parts of West Africa.
While there are no definitive historical records documenting the earliest use of the surname Lamptey, it is believed to have been widely used among the Akan people of Ghana, particularly in the coastal regions and the Ashanti Kingdom.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lamptey can be found in the writings of British explorer and author Joseph Dupuis, who traveled extensively in West Africa in the late 18th century. In his journal, Dupuis mentions encountering individuals with the surname Lamptey during his visits to Ghanaian coastal towns.
Among the notable individuals who bore the surname Lamptey throughout history is Nii Lamptey (1904-1975), a prominent Ghanaian politician and lawyer who served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana from 1969 to 1972. Another prominent figure was Kwame Lamptey (1922-2005), a Ghanaian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1965 to 1966.
In the world of sports, Nii Lamptey (born 1977) is a former professional footballer who represented Ghana at the international level and played for several clubs in Europe, including Aston Villa and PSV Eindhoven. Eric Lamptey (born 1962) is another notable Ghanaian football player who played for clubs like AS Monaco and Auxerre in France.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Lamptey was Kweku Lamptey (c. 1740-1805), a prominent Akan chief and trader who played a significant role in the expansion of the Ashanti Empire in the late 18th century.
The surname Lamptey has been carried by many individuals throughout history, reflecting its deep roots in the cultural and linguistic traditions of Ghana. While the exact origins and earliest usage of the name remain uncertain, it continues to be a prominent surname in Ghana and among Ghanaian communities around the world.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lamptey
Among Census respondents with the surname Lamptey, the largest self-reported group is Black at 95.7%. The next largest groups are White (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Lamptey bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Lamptey surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American95.7%
- White2.4%
- Unknown or suppressed1.9%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lamptey surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #89,172 | #49,723 | 44.2% |
| Count | 193 | 422 | 118.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.14 | 100.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Lamptey bearers went from 193 to 422 (+118.7% change). The surname moved up 39,449 positions in the national ranking, going from #89,172 to #49,723.
FAQ
Lamptey surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lamptey?
The surname Lamptey holds position #49,723 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 480 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lamptey surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lamptey, the largest self-reported group is Black at 95.7%. The next largest groups are White (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.