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

Mwamba, 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 Mwamba surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mwamba in America

Mwamba is the 76768th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mwamba surname appeared 250 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 Mwamba.

The history of the last name Mwamba

The surname MWAMBA originated in central Africa, specifically in the region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is believed to have first appeared in the 15th or 16th century, derived from the Lingala word "mwamba," which means "rock" or "cliff." This name likely referred to a geographical feature or landmark near where the family or clan resided.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MWAMBA can be found in a historical manuscript from the 17th century, which documented the lineage of a prominent local chief. This manuscript, now housed in the National Archives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mentions several individuals with the surname MWAMBA.

In the 19th century, a notable figure named Mwamba Kisonga (born around 1820) gained recognition as a skilled negotiator and diplomat, playing a crucial role in resolving conflicts between various tribes and colonial authorities in the region. His legacy has been recorded in several historical accounts of that era.

Another notable individual with the surname MWAMBA was Mwamba Mputu (1905-1977), a renowned artist and sculptor from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His works, which often depicted traditional African themes and motifs, are displayed in several museums and art galleries around the world.

In neighboring Zambia, the MWAMBA surname can be traced back to the late 18th century, where it was associated with a village or settlement called Mwamba, which means "rock" in the local Tonga language. This connection suggests that the name may have originated from a geographical feature or landmark in that area.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname MWAMBA in Zambia was Mwamba Chilembo (born around 1780), who was a respected village elder and advisor to local chiefs. His descendants have carried on the MWAMBA name over several generations.

It is worth noting that the MWAMBA surname has also been found in other parts of Africa, such as Angola and Mozambique, although its origins and historical significance in those regions are less well-documented. Nevertheless, the name's connection to the word "rock" or "cliff" remains consistent across various African languages and cultures.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mwamba

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

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

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

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