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

Mafua, 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 Mafua surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mafua in America

Mafua is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mafua surname appeared 122 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 Mafua.

The history of the last name Mafua

The surname MAFUA has its origins in the Polynesian island nation of Samoa. It first emerged in the early 19th century, derived from the Samoan word 'mafua' meaning 'cause' or 'reason'. The name was likely given to individuals who were seen as influential or held positions of authority within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MAFUA surname can be found in the journals of British explorer and writer John Williams, who visited Samoa in the 1830s. He documented his interactions with a village chief named Mafua, though it is unclear if this was a given name or a surname.

In the late 19th century, a man named Mafua Iopu was a prominent figure in Samoan politics and served as a representative in the German colonial administration. He was born in 1846 and played a significant role in negotiations between Samoan leaders and colonial authorities.

Another notable figure was Mafua Tafili, a Samoan pastor and educator who lived from 1871 to 1948. He was instrumental in establishing several schools and churches throughout Samoa and was highly respected for his work in promoting education and Christianity.

During the early 20th century, a Samoan man named Mafua Tagaloa gained recognition as a skilled woodcarver and artist. His intricate woodcarvings, depicting traditional Samoan motifs and designs, were widely admired and can still be found in museums and private collections today.

In more recent times, Mafua Filifilia was a renowned Samoan poet and writer who lived from 1923 to 2008. Her works, written in both Samoan and English, explored themes of identity, culture, and the challenges faced by Pacific Islanders in the modern world.

While the MAFUA surname is relatively uncommon outside of Samoa, it holds a significant place in the island nation's history and culture. It serves as a reminder of the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Samoan people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mafua

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

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

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

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