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

Mauga, 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 Mauga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mauga in America

Mauga is the 54990th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mauga surname appeared 374 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 Mauga.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mauga 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 Mauga

The surname Mauga is believed to have originated in the islands of Samoa, located in the South Pacific Ocean. This name dates back to ancient times when families and clans were closely tied to their land and villages.

Mauga is derived from the Samoan word "mauga," which translates to "mountain" or "highland." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals or families who lived in or near mountainous regions or elevated areas of the Samoan islands.

In traditional Samoan society, names often carried significant meaning and were closely linked to the natural environment, cultural traditions, and familial lineages. The Mauga name may have been used to identify those with a connection to specific mountains or highlands, perhaps indicating their place of origin or dwelling.

While historical records from ancient Samoa are scarce, the Mauga name is believed to have been in use for centuries. It is possible that this surname appeared in oral histories, genealogical accounts, or other forms of traditional record-keeping that were passed down through generations.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Mauga was Tui Maugalualua, a prominent chief and leader in the village of Falefa, Upolu Island, in the late 17th century. He was renowned for his wisdom and leadership during a period of inter-village conflicts.

Another notable figure was Mauga Liufau, a skilled navigator and explorer from the island of Savai'i, who is said to have voyaged across the Pacific Ocean in the early 19th century, encountering various islands and cultures along the way.

In the early 20th century, Mauga Pele was a respected orator and elder statesman from the village of Falealili, Upolu Island. He played a significant role in preserving Samoan cultural traditions and advocating for the rights of his people during the colonial era.

More recently, Mauga Fue Ioane was a prominent Samoan artist and woodcarver, known for his intricate and traditional works of art that depicted Samoan myths, legends, and cultural motifs. He was born in 1923 and passed away in 2005.

Lastly, Mauga Uele, born in 1962, is a contemporary Samoan writer and academic who has contributed to the preservation and promotion of the Samoan language and literature through his works and teachings.

While the Mauga surname is not as widespread as some others, it holds a significant place in Samoan history and culture, reflecting the deep connections between the people and their land, as well as their rich traditions and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mauga

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

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

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

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