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

Latu, 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 Latu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Latu in America

Latu is the 25272nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Latu surname appeared 980 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 Latu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Latu 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 Latu

The surname LATU is believed to have originated in Samoa, where it is a relatively common name. It is derived from the Samoan word "latu," which means "to go" or "to walk." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who frequently traveled or was known for their journeys.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the LATU surname can be found in the historical records of Samoa, dating back to the late 18th century. During this time, the name was often associated with various villages and settlements across the Samoan islands.

In the 19th century, the name LATU began to appear in missionary records and documents, as many Samoans converted to Christianity. One notable figure from this era was Latu Apisai, a Samoan chief and influential leader who played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity on the islands. He was born around 1820 and passed away in the late 1800s.

As Samoans began to migrate and settle in other parts of the world, the LATU surname traveled with them. In the early 20th century, there were records of individuals with the LATU surname living in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

One prominent individual with the LATU surname was Latu Vaisola, a Samoan academic and writer who was born in 1924. He made significant contributions to the preservation of Samoan language and culture through his literary works and academic pursuits.

Another notable figure was Latu Talu, a Samoan artist and sculptor who was born in 1938. His works were widely celebrated for their unique blend of traditional Samoan motifs and contemporary styles. He passed away in 2016, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy.

While the LATU surname has its roots in Samoa, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by Samoan migrants and their descendants. The name continues to be associated with the rich cultural heritage of the Samoan people and their history of exploration and migration.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Latu

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

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

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

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