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

Njau, 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 Njau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Njau in America

Njau is the 103181st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Njau surname appeared 174 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 Njau.

The history of the last name Njau

The surname NJAU is believed to have originated in the Northeastern part of Tanzania, Africa, during the 16th century. It is derived from the Chaga language, spoken by the Chaga people who reside on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The name is thought to be derived from the Chaga word "njau," which means "wanderer" or "traveler," suggesting that the first bearers of this surname may have been nomadic or migratory individuals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname NJAU can be found in a local village record from the late 17th century, where a man named Njau Kimbilio is mentioned as a respected elder in his community. This record provides valuable insight into the early use of the name and its prevalence in the region.

In the 19th century, a notable figure named Njau Mbeyamlamba (1825-1892) gained recognition as a skilled warrior and leader among the Chaga people. He was known for his bravery in battles against neighboring tribes and his efforts to protect his people's lands and traditions.

Another significant individual bearing the NJAU surname was Njau Mzee (1850-1920), a renowned healer and herbalist who contributed greatly to the preservation and advancement of traditional Chaga medicine. His knowledge and expertise were widely sought after by people from various parts of the region.

The name NJAU also appears in several historical accounts and travelogues written by early European explorers who ventured into the Kilimanjaro region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For instance, the German explorer Hans Meyer, who was the first European to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in 1889, mentions encountering individuals with the surname NJAU during his expedition.

Another notable figure was Njau Mwombeki (1880-1955), a respected elder and advisor who played a crucial role in mediating conflicts between the Chaga people and the colonial authorities during the early years of German and British rule in the region.

While the surname NJAU is predominantly associated with the Chaga people of Tanzania, it has also spread to other parts of East Africa through migration and intermarriage over the centuries. However, its origins can be traced back to the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, where it has been firmly rooted for generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Njau

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!