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

Mugisha, 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 Mugisha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mugisha in America

Mugisha is the 130610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mugisha surname appeared 130 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 Mugisha.

The history of the last name Mugisha

The surname Mugisha originates from the East African country of Rwanda, dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Kinyarwanda word "umugisha," which means "blessing" or "good fortune." The name was initially used to refer to individuals who were considered blessed or fortunate.

Mugisha is believed to have first appeared in the records of the ancient Kingdom of Rwanda, which existed from the 15th to the 19th century. During this period, the name was primarily associated with members of the Tutsi ethnic group, who dominated the social and political hierarchy of the kingdom.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Mugisha can be found in the oral traditions and folktales of the Rwandan people. These stories often featured individuals with the name Mugisha, portraying them as wise, prosperous, and highly respected members of their communities.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Mugisha Nkusi (born around 1720) was recorded as a skilled diplomat and advisor to the Rwandan king, Yuhi IV Gahindiro. Nkusi played a crucial role in negotiating peace agreements between rival clans and was renowned for his diplomatic abilities.

Another notable bearer of the name was Mugisha Mbonyumutwa (1845-1918), a renowned poet and storyteller from the Hutu ethnic group. Mbonyumutwa's works celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Rwanda and often addressed themes of unity, resilience, and the importance of preserving traditional values.

During the colonial era in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Mugisha was found in various administrative records and documents kept by European colonial authorities. One such individual was Mugisha Kayirebwa (1870-1952), a respected village chief who played a pivotal role in maintaining stability and order during the tumultuous period of colonial rule.

In more recent times, the name Mugisha has been carried by several prominent figures, including Mugisha Byabagamba (1942-2018), a renowned Rwandan author and scholar whose works explored the complexities of Rwandan society and the impact of colonialism on the country's cultural identity.

While the name Mugisha originated in Rwanda, it has since spread to other parts of East Africa, particularly Uganda and Burundi, where it is also widely used and recognized as a symbol of good fortune and blessings.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mugisha

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

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

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

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