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

Malepeai, 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 Malepeai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Malepeai in America

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

The Malepeai 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 Malepeai.

The history of the last name Malepeai

The surname MALEPEAI originates from the Samoan language and culture. It is believed to have originated in the late 18th or early 19th century on the Samoan islands of the South Pacific Ocean.

MALEPEAI is a combination of two Samoan words, "male" meaning male or masculine, and "peai" meaning to be proud or boastful. Together, the name can be interpreted as "proud man" or "boastful male". This suggests the surname may have been given to someone who exhibited these traits or characteristics.

There are no known historical records or manuscripts that specifically mention the surname MALEPEAI from earlier periods. However, the name likely emerged during the late 1700s or early 1800s when Western explorers and missionaries began documenting the Samoan language and culture more extensively.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname MALEPEAI was Tupua Malepeai (c. 1820-1890), a prominent Samoan chief and orator who played a significant role in the political affairs of Samoa during the 19th century. He was known for his oratorical skills and his ability to rally support among the Samoan people.

Another notable individual was Malepeai Sione (1870-1945), a Samoan educator and writer who worked to preserve and promote Samoan language and culture. He authored several books and articles on Samoan history, traditions, and literature.

In the 20th century, Malepeai Vui (1905-1985) was a influential Samoan artist and woodcarver. His works, which often depicted traditional Samoan motifs and designs, were widely celebrated and helped to revive and promote Samoan art and craftsmanship.

Malepeai Tauiliili (1920-2002) was a Samoan politician and diplomat who served as the first Prime Minister of Samoa from 1962 to 1970. He played a crucial role in Samoa's transition to independence and was instrumental in establishing diplomatic relations with other nations.

More recently, Malepeai Filifili (1945-2018) was a renowned Samoan chef and author who was widely recognized for his efforts in promoting and preserving traditional Samoan cuisine. His cookbook, "Samoan Cuisine: A Guide to the Traditional Dishes of Samoa," is considered a seminal work on the subject.

While the surname MALEPEAI is not as common as some other Samoan surnames, it has a rich history and cultural significance, reflecting the pride and identity of the Samoan people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Malepeai

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

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

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

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