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

Lawal, 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 Lawal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lawal in America

Lawal is the 20529th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lawal surname appeared 1,292 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 Lawal.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lawal 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 Lawal

The surname LAWAL originated in West Africa, particularly among the Yoruba people of present-day Nigeria. It is believed to have derived from the Yoruba word "awa," meaning "a parcel" or "a load." The name likely referred to someone who was a porter or carried loads for a living.

LAWAL can be traced back to the 15th century, during the height of the Oyo Empire in what is now southwestern Nigeria. The name appears in some historical records and oral traditions from that era, although its precise origins remain uncertain.

One of the earliest known references to the name LAWAL is found in the Benin Histories, a collection of oral accounts and records from the Benin Empire, which flourished in the present-day Edo State of Nigeria from the 15th to the 19th century.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Lawal Ogundeyi was a prominent leader and warrior in the service of the Oyo Empire. He played a pivotal role in several military campaigns and is remembered for his bravery and strategic prowess.

Another historical figure bearing the name LAWAL was Lawal Jagunmolu, a renowned trader and merchant who lived in the late 17th century. He was instrumental in establishing trade routes between the Oyo Empire and neighboring regions, contributing to the economic prosperity of the empire.

In the 19th century, Lawal Idikan was a highly respected Islamic scholar and teacher from the city of Ilorin, known for his extensive knowledge of the Quran and Islamic jurisprudence.

Another notable individual with the surname LAWAL was Lawal Akintola, a prominent politician and lawyer who played a significant role in the Nigerian independence movement in the mid-20th century. Born in 1910, he served as the Premier of Western Nigeria from 1960 to 1962.

Throughout its history, the surname LAWAL has been associated with various professions and walks of life, including warriors, traders, scholars, and political leaders, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who bear this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lawal

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

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

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

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