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

Ogutu, 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 Ogutu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ogutu in America

Ogutu is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ogutu surname appeared 109 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 Ogutu.

The history of the last name Ogutu

The surname OGUTU originated from the Luo community in Kenya, East Africa. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th century or earlier when the Luo people migrated from present-day South Sudan to their current homelands around Lake Victoria.

OGUTU is derived from the Luo language and is thought to have roots in the word "ogutu," meaning "to guide" or "to lead." This suggests that the name may have been originally associated with individuals who held leadership roles within their communities or clans.

In traditional Luo society, surnames were often given to individuals based on their personal characteristics, occupations, or notable events in their lives. The OGUTU name may have been bestowed upon those who demonstrated exceptional guidance or leadership abilities.

While there are no known historical records or manuscripts specifically mentioning the OGUTU surname from ancient times, it is deeply rooted in the oral traditions and cultural heritage of the Luo people.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the OGUTU surname was Otieno Ogutu, a renowned Luo elder and community leader who lived in the late 19th century. He was known for his wisdom, diplomacy, and ability to resolve conflicts among the Luo clans.

Another notable figure was Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (1911-1994), a prominent Kenyan politician and independence leader who hailed from the Luo community. Although his surname was Odinga, he was closely related to the OGUTU lineage through his maternal ancestry.

Among other prominent individuals with the OGUTU surname are James Ogutu (1937-2015), a Kenyan politician who served as a member of parliament and cabinet minister, and Jackline Ogutu (born 1974), a respected Kenyan academic and environmental scientist.

Additionally, there was Okoth Ogutu (1926-2003), a pioneering Kenyan journalist and editor who played a significant role in the country's media industry during the post-independence era.

While the OGUTU surname may not be as widely recognized globally as some other African surnames, it carries a rich cultural heritage and history within the Luo community of Kenya.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ogutu

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

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

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

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