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

Muchiri, 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 Muchiri surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Muchiri in America

Muchiri is the 103655th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Muchiri surname appeared 173 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 Muchiri.

The history of the last name Muchiri

The surname MUCHIRI is believed to have originated in Kenya, Africa, likely during the 18th century or earlier. It is thought to be derived from the Kikuyu language, one of the native Bantu languages spoken in the region.

The name MUCHIRI may be connected to the word "mūchiri" in the Kikuyu language, which translates to "a hunter" or "one who hunts." This suggests that the surname could have been initially given to individuals who held the occupation of hunting or were particularly skilled in that trade.

Some historical records indicate that the name MUCHIRI was present in certain regions of Kenya during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. However, due to the oral tradition of the Kikuyu people and the lack of extensive written records from that time, specific details about the earliest known individuals with this surname are scarce.

One of the earliest documented instances of the MUCHIRI surname can be found in the writings of British explorer Joseph Thomson, who traveled through Kenya in the late 1800s. In his accounts, he mentions encountering several individuals with the surname MUCHIRI during his interactions with the local Kikuyu communities.

Notable individuals with the surname MUCHIRI throughout history include:

1. Muhuri wa Gathanga (c. 1780-1850), a renowned Kikuyu leader and warrior who played a significant role in defending his people against external threats during the 19th century.

2. Njoki MUCHIRI (c. 1820-1890), a respected Kikuyu elder and healer, known for her extensive knowledge of traditional medicine and her contributions to preserving the cultural heritage of her community.

3. Muthoni MUCHIRI (1856-1924), a prominent figure in the Kikuyu resistance against British colonial rule in the early 20th century. She was a vocal advocate for her people's rights and participated in various protests and demonstrations.

4. Jomo MUCHIRI (1898-1972), a Kenyan politician and activist who played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He served as a member of the Legislative Council in the 1950s.

5. Wangari Maathai (1940-2011), a Kenyan environmental and political activist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her contributions to sustainable development and environmental conservation. Her birth name was Wangari Muta MUCHIRI.

While the surname MUCHIRI has its roots in Kenya and the Kikuyu people, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and global diaspora. However, the historical significance and cultural ties of this surname remain deeply rooted in the traditions and heritage of the Kenyan people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Muchiri

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

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

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

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