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

Matau, 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 Matau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Matau in America

Matau is the 104602nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Matau surname appeared 171 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 Matau.

We can also compare 2010 data for Matau 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 Matau

The surname "MATAU" is believed to have its origins in the Polynesian region, specifically in the islands of Samoa and Tonga. It dates back to the early 18th century and is derived from the Samoan word "matau," which means "fishhook" or "skillful."

In ancient Polynesian culture, fishhooks were highly prized possessions, symbolizing the importance of fishing and seafaring. The name "MATAU" likely referred to individuals who were skilled fishermen or navigators. It may have also been bestowed upon those who exhibited craftmanship in creating intricate fishhooks.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "MATAU" can be found in the oral histories and genealogies of Samoan families, which were passed down through generations. These stories often mentioned individuals with this surname who were respected members of their communities.

In the late 19th century, as European explorers and missionaries began documenting the peoples of the Pacific islands, the name "MATAU" appeared in written records and accounts. One notable individual was Matau Tuitui, a Samoan chief who lived in the early 1800s and was known for his leadership and oratory skills.

Another historical figure bearing the surname "MATAU" was Matau Tuisamoa, a skilled navigator and wayfinder who lived in the late 18th century. He was renowned for his ability to navigate long distances across the open ocean using traditional Polynesian methods, relying on the stars, ocean currents, and other natural signs.

In the early 20th century, Matau Peni, a renowned Tongan artist and woodcarver, gained recognition for his intricate and detailed carvings of traditional Polynesian designs and motifs. His works were highly sought after and are now displayed in museums around the world.

Matau Tofiga, a Samoan chief and orator from the late 19th century, was also a notable figure. He was known for his eloquence and his ability to recite lengthy genealogies and histories, preserving the oral traditions of his people.

While the surname "MATAU" is most commonly found in Samoa and Tonga, it has also spread to other parts of the Polynesian region, as well as to countries with significant Polynesian populations, such as New Zealand and Hawaii.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Matau

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

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

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

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