Musoke last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Musoke

An occupational surname originating from Uganda, related to hunting or fishing.

Musoke, 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 Musoke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Musoke in America

Musoke is the 110825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Musoke surname appeared 159 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 Musoke.

The history of the last name Musoke

The surname Musoke has its origins in Uganda, a country located in East Africa. It is believed to have emerged as a family name during the 16th century, though its linguistic roots can be traced back even further in time.

The name Musoke is derived from the Luganda language, spoken by the Baganda people, the largest ethnic group in Uganda. It is thought to be a combination of two words: "mu," meaning "person or human," and "soke," which is believed to have meant "from the bushlands" or "from the wilderness."

Historically, the name Musoke was prominent among clans and families that resided in the outskirts of the Buganda Kingdom, particularly in the forested and bushy areas surrounding the capital city of Kampala. This geographic connection aligns with the proposed meaning of the name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Musoke can be found in the oral histories and folklore of the Baganda people, which have been passed down through generations. These stories often referenced individuals with the surname Musoke, highlighting their ties to the land and their roles in important events or cultural traditions.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Musoke Ssekabaka (born circa 1720) was a prominent advisor to the Kabaka (King) of the Buganda Kingdom. He was renowned for his wisdom and diplomatic skills, and his name is still mentioned in some historical accounts of that era.

Another significant individual bearing the surname Musoke was Musoke Ssemakula (1825-1892), a renowned herbalist and traditional healer. His knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional remedies was highly regarded, and he was often sought out by members of the royal court and commoners alike.

During the 19th century, as European explorers and missionaries began to arrive in Uganda, several individuals with the surname Musoke were mentioned in their journals and accounts. One such individual was Musoke Katamba (1840-1915), a local guide and interpreter who assisted many early European visitors in navigating the region.

In the early 20th century, Musoke Lubowa (1890-1962) was a prominent figure in the Ugandan independence movement. He was a respected community leader and advocate for self-governance, playing a crucial role in the struggle against colonial rule.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Musoke has remained an enduring part of Ugandan culture and identity, with many individuals bearing this name making significant contributions to various aspects of society, including politics, education, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Musoke

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

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 Musoke was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 3.77% 6
Non-Hispanic Black Only 91.82% 146
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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

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

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"Musoke last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 25, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/musoke-surname-popularity/.

"Musoke last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/musoke-surname-popularity/. Accessed 25 November, 2024

Musoke last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/musoke-surname-popularity/.

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