Mawae
Possibly of Hawaiian origin meaning "journey" or "path".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Mawae. That puts it at #140,157 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mawae surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#140,157
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
119
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 119 bearers of the surname Mawae in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 140157th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mawae, the largest self-reported group is Two or More Races at 40.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (35.3%) and White (16.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mawae
The surname MAWAE has its origins in Samoa, an island country located in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean. This name dates back to the early 19th century and is derived from the Samoan language.
MAWAE is believed to be a combination of two words: "ma" meaning "with" and "wae" meaning "leg" or "foot". Therefore, the name likely referred to someone who had a distinctive gait or a physical characteristic related to their legs or feet.
Early records show that the name MAWAE first appeared in written documents in the 1830s when European missionaries and explorers began documenting the names of Samoan villagers they encountered. One of the earliest known mentions of the name was in a journal entry by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville, who visited Samoa in 1838.
In the late 19th century, a man named Mawae Filiga (born c. 1855) was a prominent chief and leader in the village of Falefa on the island of Upolu. He played a significant role in maintaining traditional customs and practices during a period of rapid social change brought about by European influence.
Another notable figure with the surname MAWAE was Mawae Tuitele (1885-1962), a skilled orator and advisor to the Samoan royal family. He was renowned for his knowledge of Samoan genealogy and history, and served as a keeper of cultural traditions.
In the early 20th century, a man named Mawae Aumua (1901-1979) was a respected teacher and scholar who helped preserve and document the Samoan language. He authored several books on Samoan grammar and vocabulary, which became important resources for future generations.
During World War II, a soldier named Mawae Tuiloma (1920-1944) fought bravely for the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific theater. He was killed in action during the Battle of Peleliu in 1944 and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his valor and sacrifice.
Another notable figure with the MAWAE surname was Mawae Toelupe (1935-2010), a successful businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the economic development of Samoa. He founded several companies and was actively involved in various charitable organizations.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mawae
Among Census respondents with the surname Mawae, the largest self-reported group is Two or More Races at 40.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (35.3%) and White (16.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Mawae bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Mawae surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Two or more races40.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander35.3%
- White16.0%
- Hispanic or Latino8.4%
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mawae
FAQ
Mawae surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mawae?
The surname Mawae holds position #140,157 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mawae surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mawae, the largest self-reported group is Two or More Races at 40.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (35.3%) and White (16.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.