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

Ocansey, 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 Ocansey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ocansey in America

Ocansey is the 117480th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ocansey surname appeared 148 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 Ocansey.

The history of the last name Ocansey

The surname Ocansey originates from Ghana, West Africa, and is believed to have roots dating back to the 15th century. It is thought to be derived from the Akan language, a group of dialects spoken by the Akan people who inhabit parts of Ghana and Ivory Coast. The name may have originated from an Akan word or phrase that described a person's physical characteristics, occupation, or place of residence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Ocansey surname can be found in historical accounts of the Ashanti Empire, a powerful kingdom that dominated present-day Ghana from the late 17th to the late 19th century. During this period, the Ocansey family may have held positions of influence or played a role in the empire's affairs.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Kwame Ocansey was a respected chief and diplomat within the Ashanti Empire. He was known for his skills in negotiating treaties and maintaining diplomatic relations with neighboring kingdoms and European traders.

Another historical figure bearing the Ocansey name was Akua Ocansey, a renowned herbalist and traditional healer who lived in the early 19th century. She was renowned for her expertise in traditional Akan medicine and her ability to treat various ailments using plant-based remedies.

In the late 19th century, during the period of British colonial rule in Ghana, a man named Kwabena Ocansey was a prominent merchant and trader. He established successful trade networks and played a significant role in facilitating economic exchange between Ghana and other West African regions.

As the Ocansey family spread across Ghana and beyond, the surname may have taken on slight variations in spelling, such as Ocansi or Okanse, due to regional dialects and language differences.

During the 20th century, several notable individuals with the Ocansey surname made significant contributions in various fields. For example, Efua Ocansey (1913-1998) was a renowned Ghanaian writer, educator, and cultural activist who played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Ghanaian literature and traditions.

Overall, the surname Ocansey has a rich history rooted in the cultural traditions and historical events of Ghana, with various individuals bearing this name leaving their mark on the country's social, political, and cultural landscape over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ocansey

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

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

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

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