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

Nkansah, 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 Nkansah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nkansah in America

Nkansah is the 77788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nkansah surname appeared 246 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 Nkansah.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nkansah 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 Nkansah

The surname NKANSAH has its roots in the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa, with its origins dating back several centuries. This name is believed to have originated from the Akuapem area, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

It is thought that NKANSAH may have derived from an old Akan word or phrase related to strength, bravery, or leadership qualities. Some linguists have suggested that it could be a combination of the words "nkan" (meaning something of value or importance) and "sah" (meaning to establish or lay a foundation).

Historical records and oral traditions indicate that individuals bearing the name NKANSAH were prominent figures in various Akan communities, often serving as chiefs, warriors, or respected elders. Unfortunately, due to the scarcity of written records from that era, specific details about the earliest bearers of this name are scarce.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name NKANSAH can be found in the writings of European travelers and missionaries who visited the region in the 17th and 18th centuries. These accounts often referred to local leaders or guides with this surname, suggesting its significance within Akan society.

Notable individuals with the surname NKANSAH throughout history include:

1. Nana Akua NKANSAH (circa 1750-1820), a revered queen mother and advisor to the Akuapem chieftaincy, known for her wisdom and diplomatic skills.

2. Kwasi NKANSAH (1825-1901), a renowned farmer and trader who pioneered the cultivation of cocoa in the Akuapem region, contributing to the area's economic prosperity.

3. Yaa NKANSAH (1880-1960), a respected healer and herbalist celebrated for her extensive knowledge of traditional Akan medicine and healing practices.

4. Kofi NKANSAH (1910-1985), a prominent educator and headmaster who played a pivotal role in establishing several schools in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

5. Akua NKANSAH (1935-2010), a celebrated writer and storyteller who dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Akan folklore and cultural traditions.

It is worth noting that variations in spelling and pronunciation of the name NKANSAH may have occurred over time, reflecting the diverse dialects and linguistic influences within the Akan communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nkansah

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

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

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

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