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

Mburu, 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 Mburu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mburu in America

Mburu is the 53316th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mburu surname appeared 388 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 Mburu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mburu 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 Mburu

The surname MBURU is of Kenyan origin, originating in the central highlands of the country. It is believed to have derived from the Kikuyu language, with the word "mburu" meaning "warrior" or "brave one."

The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 16th century, appearing in oral histories and clan narratives passed down through generations of the Kikuyu people. It was often associated with families or clans known for their bravery and prowess in battle, as well as their leadership and influence within their communities.

In the 19th century, written records of the name began to emerge as European missionaries and colonial administrators documented the names and histories of local populations. One notable figure from this era was Mburu wa Kihara, a respected Kikuyu elder and leader who played a pivotal role in negotiating land rights and treaties with the British colonial government.

As the 20th century progressed, the name MBURU gained prominence in various spheres of Kenyan society. Jomo Kenyatta, the first Prime Minister and President of independent Kenya (1892-1978), had a close associate named Mburu Kariuki who served as a member of the Legislative Council and was instrumental in the country's struggle for independence.

Another notable bearer of the name was Mburu Gichuhi (1902-1990), a Kenyan activist and trade unionist who fought for workers' rights and played a significant role in the formation of the Kenya African Union, a precursor to modern political parties in the country.

In the field of literature, Ngugi wa Thiong'o (born 1938), a renowned Kenyan writer and academic, wrote a novel titled "Petals of Blood" in 1977, which featured a character named Mburu, a representation of the resilience and determination of the Kenyan people.

The surname MBURU has also been carried by numerous other notable individuals throughout Kenyan history, including politicians, artists, academics, and community leaders, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural significance and association with leadership and bravery.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mburu

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

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

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

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