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

Maafu, 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 Maafu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Maafu in America

Maafu is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Maafu surname appeared 127 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 Maafu.

The history of the last name Maafu

The surname MAAFU originates from the Fijian islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is believed to have emerged in the late 18th century or early 19th century among the indigenous Fijian population.

The name MAAFU is derived from the Fijian language, likely from the word "maafu" which means "wealthy" or "prosperous." This suggests that the surname may have been initially adopted by individuals or families who held positions of wealth or prominence within their communities.

One of the earliest known references to the surname MAAFU can be found in the records of the London Missionary Society, which established missions in Fiji in the 1830s. These records mention a prominent Fijian chief named Ratu Maafu who played a significant role in the early interactions between the missionaries and the local population.

Ratu Maafu, born around 1810, was a powerful chief from the island of Bau. He was known for his political acumen and military prowess, and he played a crucial role in the power struggles and alliances that shaped the history of Fiji in the 19th century.

Another notable figure with the surname MAAFU was Sefanaia Maafu, a Fijian politician and statesman who served as the first Prime Minister of Fiji after the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1970. He held office from 1970 to 1987.

In the 20th century, the surname MAAFU also gained recognition through the achievements of individuals like Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Maafu, a Fijian chief and statesman who played a vital role in the country's transition to independence. He was born in 1888 and died in 1958.

Another notable figure was Adi Meretui Maafu, a Fijian noblewoman and chieftainess who was born in 1880 and played a significant role in preserving Fijian culture and traditions.

It is worth noting that the surname MAAFU is often associated with places or villages in Fiji that bear similar names, such as Maafu Island or the village of Maafu in the Lau archipelago.

While the surname MAAFU has its roots in Fiji, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of the Fijian islands.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Maafu

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

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

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

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