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

Mpofu, 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 Mpofu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mpofu in America

Mpofu is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mpofu surname appeared 103 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 Mpofu.

The history of the last name Mpofu

The surname MPOFU originates from the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe. It is a Bantu language name that can be traced back to the late 18th century when the Ndebele nation was formed under the leadership of King Mzilikazi.

MPOFU is believed to be derived from the Ndebele word "impofure," which means "the one who survives" or "the one who endures." This name was likely given to individuals or families who displayed resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity or challenging circumstances.

The earliest known record of the MPOFU name appears in oral histories and traditions passed down through generations within the Ndebele community. It is closely tied to the migration and settlement patterns of the Ndebele people as they established their kingdom in present-day Zimbabwe.

One of the earliest documented instances of the MPOFU name can be found in the writings of European explorers and missionaries who encountered the Ndebele people in the 19th century. These records provide valuable insights into the cultural and social structures of the Ndebele nation at that time.

Notable individuals with the MPOFU surname include:

1. Thenjiwe Mpofu (1924-2010), a prominent Zimbabwean politician and activist who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence.
2. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (1917-1999), a Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician who served as the Vice President of Zimbabwe from 1987 until his death.
3. Obert Mpofu (born 1951), a Zimbabwean politician and member of the ZANU-PF party, who has held various ministerial positions in the government.
4. Thandazani Mpofu (born 1981), a Zimbabwean cricketer who has represented the national team in both Test and One Day International matches.
5. Sibongile Mpofu (born 1989), a Zimbabwean visual artist and sculptor known for her work exploring themes of identity, gender, and cultural narratives.

While the MPOFU name has its roots in the Ndebele culture, it has since spread beyond Zimbabwe and can be found among individuals of various backgrounds and nationalities, reflecting the diaspora and migration patterns of people over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mpofu

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

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

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

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