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

Massaquoi, 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 Massaquoi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Massaquoi in America

Massaquoi is the 32365th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Massaquoi surname appeared 711 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 Massaquoi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Massaquoi 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 Massaquoi

The surname Massaquoi has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the region that is now Sierra Leone. It is believed to have emerged during the late 16th or early 17th century, possibly derived from a combination of words in local dialects or languages.

One theory suggests that the name may have roots in the Mende language, with "massa" potentially meaning "great" or "powerful," and "quoi" being a reference to a specific location or clan. However, the exact etymology remains uncertain, and various interpretations have been proposed over time.

Historically, the Massaquoi name has been associated with influential families and leaders within the Mende and neighboring ethnic groups. While records from that era are scarce, some early mentions of the name can be found in accounts of European explorers and traders who visited the region.

One of the earliest documented individuals bearing the Massaquoi name was Momodu Massaquoi, a prominent chief and diplomat from the late 18th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and maintaining relations between local communities and the British colonial authorities.

Another notable figure was Bai Bureh Massaquoi, a military leader and patriot who led the Hut Tax War against British rule in Sierra Leone from 1898 to 1899. His resistance efforts helped shape the country's struggle for independence, which was eventually achieved in 1961.

In the 20th century, the Massaquoi name gained further prominence with individuals like Vidal Massaquoi, a Sierra Leonean politician and diplomat who served as the country's Foreign Minister from 1964 to 1967. He also held ambassadorial positions in several countries, including the United States.

Fatmata Massaquoi was a renowned Sierra Leonean writer and educator born in 1915. Her works, such as "The Tormenting Tides" and "The Soulful Brutes," explored themes of cultural identity and social issues, earning her recognition both within and beyond Sierra Leone.

More recently, the name has been carried by individuals like Sia Massaquoi, a Sierra Leonean-American fashion designer and entrepreneur who has gained international acclaim for her sustainable fashion initiatives and advocacy for ethical fashion practices.

While the Massaquoi name has its roots in Sierra Leone, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Massaquoi

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

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

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

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