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

Nwokolo, 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 Nwokolo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nwokolo in America

Nwokolo is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nwokolo surname appeared 128 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 Nwokolo.

The history of the last name Nwokolo

The surname NWOKOLO is of Nigerian origin, deriving from the Igbo ethnic group found primarily in the southeastern regions of the country. The name can be traced back to the late 15th century and is believed to have originated from the town of Nwokolo, located in the present-day Anambra State.

The etymology of NWOKOLO is rooted in the Igbo language, where "Nwokolo" translates to "one who comes from the town of Kolo." This suggests that the name may have been adopted by individuals or families who migrated from the town of Kolo to other areas, carrying their place of origin as a surname.

Historical references to the NWOKOLO surname can be found in various records and documents from the region, including village censuses and land ownership records dating back to the 17th century. One notable mention is found in the "Igiokwu Diaries," a collection of oral histories and narratives from the Igbo people, which references a prominent family bearing the NWOKOLO name.

The earliest recorded instances of the NWOKOLO surname can be traced back to the late 16th century. In 1592, a man named Okonkwo NWOKOLO was recorded as a landowner in the village of Ogidi, a settlement located near the town of Nwokolo. Another early record from 1617 mentions a trader named Chukwuma NWOKOLO, who operated a successful business along the trade routes connecting the Igbo heartland to the coast.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the NWOKOLO surname. One prominent figure was Nnamdi NWOKOLO (1876-1941), a renowned scholar and author who wrote extensively on Igbo culture and traditions. Another was Onyekachi NWOKOLO (1912-1987), a pioneering educator who established several schools in the region and played a pivotal role in promoting education among the Igbo people.

Other individuals of note include Adaobi NWOKOLO (1938-2018), a celebrated artist and sculptor whose works explored themes of Igbo identity and spirituality, and Chima NWOKOLO (1945-2002), a prominent lawyer and human rights activist who fought against injustice and advocated for civil liberties during Nigeria's military regimes.

Additionally, the NWOKOLO surname has been carried by several scholars and academics, such as Ifeoma NWOKOLO (born 1963), a renowned linguist and author who has published extensively on Igbo language and literature.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nwokolo

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

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

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

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