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

Mathenge, 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 Mathenge surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mathenge in America

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

The Mathenge 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 Mathenge.

The history of the last name Mathenge

The surname MATHENGE originated from the Kikuyu people, an ethnic group native to the central highlands of Kenya. It's believed to have originated during the 17th century, and its roots can be traced back to the Kikuyu language. The name is thought to be derived from the word "mathenge," which means "one who is strong-willed" or "determined."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MATHENGE can be found in the archives of the British colonial administration in Kenya, dating back to the late 19th century. During this period, the British authorities were documenting the names of local chieftains and notable figures within the Kikuyu community.

The surname MATHENGE has been associated with several prominent individuals throughout history. One such figure was Wanjohi Mathenge, a renowned Kikuyu elder and leader who played a significant role in the Mau Mau uprising against British colonial rule in the 1950s. He was born in the late 19th century and was known for his unwavering commitment to the fight for independence.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Njeri Mathenge, a pioneering Kenyan educator and activist who fought for women's rights and access to education in the early 20th century. She was born in 1892 and dedicated her life to empowering girls and women through education.

In the realm of literature, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, a celebrated Kenyan author and scholar, has included characters with the surname MATHENGE in some of his works, highlighting the cultural significance of the name within the Kikuyu community.

Historically, the surname MATHENGE has also been associated with certain geographical locations within the central highlands of Kenya, where the Kikuyu people have traditionally resided. For example, the town of Mathenge in Nyeri County is believed to have derived its name from the surname.

It's worth noting that the surname MATHENGE has also been recorded with various spelling variations throughout history, such as Matheng'e, Mathengee, and Mathengi, reflecting the diversity of dialects and regional variations within the Kikuyu language.

While the surname MATHENGE may not have been widely documented in historical records outside of Kenya, it remains a prominent name within the Kikuyu community and serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and resilience of this East African ethnic group.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mathenge

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

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

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

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