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

Mwaura, 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 Mwaura surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mwaura in America

Mwaura is the 48901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mwaura surname appeared 431 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 Mwaura.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mwaura to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Mwaura

The surname Mwaura is of Kenyan origin, with roots dating back to the 19th century. It is derived from the Kikuyu language, spoken by the largest ethnic group in Kenya. The name is believed to have originated from the Kikuyu word "mwau," which means "the homestead."

The Mwaura clan can be traced back to the Central Highlands region of Kenya, particularly in the areas around Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range. Historical records suggest that the name was prominent among the Kikuyu clans that inhabited these fertile lands, where they practiced agriculture and pastoralism.

One of the earliest known references to the name Mwaura can be found in the records of the British colonial administration in Kenya during the late 19th century. These records often documented the names of local chiefs and elders who interacted with the colonial authorities.

In the early 20th century, several notable figures bearing the surname Mwaura emerged. One such individual was Mwaura Karanja (1880-1953), a respected Kikuyu elder and leader who played a significant role in the resistance against British colonial rule.

Another prominent figure was Mwaura Njagi (1905-1987), a renowned Kikuyu storyteller and oral historian. His tales and narratives provided valuable insights into the cultural traditions and history of the Kikuyu people.

During the Mau Mau uprising against British colonial rule in the 1950s, several individuals with the surname Mwaura were involved in the struggle for independence. One such figure was Mwaura Kihika (1920-1957), a Mau Mau field marshal who played a crucial role in the resistance movement.

In the post-independence era, the name Mwaura continued to be prominent in various fields. Mwaura Njenga (1932-2008) was a celebrated Kenyan writer and poet who explored themes of identity, culture, and social justice in his works.

Another notable figure was Mwaura Sambu (1945-2020), a renowned environmentalist and conservationist who dedicated his life to preserving Kenya's natural heritage and promoting sustainable practices.

Throughout history, the surname Mwaura has been associated with various place names and older spellings in the Kikuyu language. For instance, the name "Mwaurang'a" was used to refer to homesteads or settlements in the Central Highlands region.

While the surname Mwaura has its roots in Kenya, it has also gained recognition globally, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mwaura

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

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 Mwaura 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Mwaura has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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