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

Nyang, 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 Nyang surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nyang in America

Nyang is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nyang surname appeared 111 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 Nyang.

The history of the last name Nyang

The surname Nyang originates from the African region of present-day South Sudan. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th century among the Nuer people, an ethnic group primarily residing in what is now South Sudan and western Ethiopia. The name Nyang is thought to derive from the Nuer language, where it may have been a descriptive term or a reference to a specific location or natural feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Nyang can be found in the accounts of European explorers and missionaries who ventured into the region in the late 19th century. Some of these accounts mention individuals or families bearing the name Nyang among the Nuer communities they encountered. However, due to the oral traditions and lack of written records within these communities, precise details about the origins and meanings of the name are scarce.

In the early 20th century, several individuals with the surname Nyang gained recognition within the traditional Nuer society. One notable figure was Nyang Kur, a renowned Nuer chief who led his people during the turbulent period of colonial rule in the region. Kur was born around 1880 and played a significant role in negotiating with colonial authorities, seeking to preserve the Nuer way of life and protect their lands.

Another prominent individual bearing the Nyang surname was Nyang Ngundeng, a respected Nuer spiritual leader and healer who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ngundeng was renowned for his deep knowledge of traditional Nuer beliefs and practices, and his wisdom was sought after by many within the community.

In more recent times, the surname Nyang has spread beyond its original geographic region as members of the Nuer community have migrated to different parts of the world. One notable figure is Nyang Gatluak, a South Sudanese politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for South Sudan from 2013 to 2016.

Additionally, Nyang Amum, born in 1955, is a prominent South Sudanese politician and lawyer who served as the Secretary-General of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) from 2009 to 2013. He played a crucial role in the negotiations leading to South Sudan's independence in 2011.

While the surname Nyang may not be as widely recognized globally as some other surnames, it holds a significant cultural and historical significance within the Nuer community and the region of South Sudan, where it has its roots and has been passed down through generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nyang

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

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

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

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