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

Obeng, 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 Obeng surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Obeng in America

Obeng is the 29822nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Obeng surname appeared 788 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 Obeng.

We can also compare 2010 data for Obeng 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 Obeng

The surname Obeng originates from the Akan people of Ghana in West Africa, with its roots dating back to the pre-colonial era. It is believed to have derived from the Akan word "obeng," which means "artisan" or "metalworker," indicating that the name was likely associated with individuals who practiced these occupations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Obeng can be found in historical accounts from the Ashanti Kingdom, a powerful empire that dominated parts of present-day Ghana and neighboring regions from the late 17th to the late 19th century. The Ashanti were known for their skilled craftsmanship, particularly in metalwork and goldsmithing, which may have contributed to the prevalence of the surname among their population.

During the colonial period, the name Obeng appeared in various documents and records kept by European traders and administrators in the region. Notably, in the late 18th century, an Ashanti craftsman named Kwame Obeng was renowned for his exquisite metalwork, and his creations were highly sought after by European collectors and officials.

As the Akan people migrated and settled in different parts of Ghana and the surrounding regions, the surname Obeng spread with them. One notable figure bearing this name was Kwasi Obeng, a prominent Ghanaian educator and administrator who lived from 1897 to 1972. He played a crucial role in establishing and developing several educational institutions in Ghana, including the Kumasi College of Technology (now Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology).

Another prominent individual with the surname Obeng was Kofi Obeng, a Ghanaian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1979 to 1981. Born in 1931, he played a significant role in shaping Ghana's foreign policy during his tenure.

In the realm of sports, Samuel Obeng, a Ghanaian sprinter born in 1985, gained recognition for his achievements in international competitions. He represented Ghana in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, competing in the 100m and 200m events.

Kwabena Obeng, a Ghanaian-British architect and academic, made notable contributions to the field of architecture. Born in 1941, he was the first Black British architect to establish his own architectural practice in London and was recognized for his innovative designs and commitment to sustainable architecture.

The surname Obeng has also gained global recognition through its association with prominent figures in various fields, reflecting the diaspora of Akan people and their cultural influences around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Obeng

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

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

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

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