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

Mbuthia, 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 Mbuthia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mbuthia in America

Mbuthia is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mbuthia surname appeared 109 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 Mbuthia.

The history of the last name Mbuthia

The surname Mbuthia originates from Kenya, and its roots can be traced back to the 16th century. It is a name that has its origins in the Kikuyu community, one of the largest ethnic groups in Kenya. The name is believed to be derived from the Kikuyu word "muthia," which means "noble" or "respected."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the oral traditions and folklore of the Kikuyu people. It is said that a respected elder named Mbuthia played a significant role in resolving disputes and providing guidance to the community during times of conflict and upheaval.

In the late 19th century, the name Mbuthia began to appear in written records, particularly in the accounts of British colonial administrators and missionaries who interacted with the Kikuyu people. One notable mention was in the diaries of Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German missionary who worked in Kenya in the 1840s.

The earliest known person to bear the name Mbuthia was Mbuthia Wa Nganga, a revered traditional healer and spiritual leader who lived in the late 18th century. Another prominent figure was Mbuthia Wa Kĩmathi, a respected elder and advisor to the Kikuyu paramount chief Kĩngũũri in the early 19th century.

Other notable individuals with the surname Mbuthia include:

1. Jomo Mbuthia (1889-1944), a Kenyan farmer and community leader who played a significant role in the early struggles for land rights and independence.
2. Mbuthia Koinange (1922-1981), a Kenyan politician and nationalist who served as a member of the Legislative Council and later as a Member of Parliament.
3. Wambui Mbuthia (1932-2020), a Kenyan educator and women's rights activist who founded several schools and championed girls' education.
4. Njeri Mbuthia (1948-present), a Kenyan writer and literary scholar known for her contributions to the study of African literature.
5. Mugo Mbuthia (1962-present), a Kenyan businessman and entrepreneur who founded several successful companies in the hospitality and tourism industries.

While the surname Mbuthia is predominantly found in Kenya, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. The name continues to hold a sense of respect and nobility within the Kikuyu community and serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of this East African ethnic group.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mbuthia

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

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

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

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