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

Matai, 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 Matai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Matai in America

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

The Matai 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 Matai.

The history of the last name Matai

The surname Matai has its origins in the Pacific Islands, specifically in Samoa. It is derived from the Samoan word "matai," which refers to the traditional chiefs or leaders of Samoan villages and families. The matai system is a fundamental aspect of Samoan culture and social organization.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Matai can be traced back to the late 18th century, when European explorers and missionaries began documenting Samoan names and customs. One of the earliest written records of the name Matai appears in the accounts of the French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who visited Samoa in 1768.

In Samoan society, the matai title is bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, knowledge of cultural traditions, and service to their community. The matai is responsible for representing their family or village in important decision-making processes and maintaining the integrity of Samoan customs and values.

While the surname Matai is primarily associated with Samoa, it has also been adopted by individuals of Samoan descent living in other parts of the world, such as New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Some notable individuals with the surname Matai include:

1. Lufi Matai (1923-2008), a prominent Samoan artist and educator who played a significant role in preserving and promoting Samoan culture through his artwork and teachings.

2. Togia Matai (born 1952), a Samoan-American architect and urban planner known for his work in promoting sustainable development and cultural preservation in the Pacific region.

3. Tuitele Matai (1898-1982), a Samoan chief and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa during the mid-20th century.

4. Pita Matai (born 1975), a Samoan rugby union player who represented Samoa at the international level and played professionally in Europe and New Zealand.

5. Saleipoto Matai (1922-2001), a Samoan writer and educator who made significant contributions to the preservation of Samoan language and literature through her works and teaching career.

The surname Matai continues to hold cultural significance in Samoa and among the Samoan diaspora, serving as a testament to the enduring traditions and values of the Samoan people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Matai

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

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

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

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