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

Olaoye, 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 Olaoye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Olaoye in America

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

The Olaoye 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 Olaoye.

The history of the last name Olaoye

The surname OLAOYE originates from the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th century in the region known as Iyo, which is now part of Osun State.

OLAOYE is a combination of two Yoruba words: "Ola," meaning wealth or prosperity, and "Oye," which refers to a specific type of celebration or festival. Thus, the name can be interpreted as "the wealth or prosperity of the celebration."

Historical records indicate that the name OLAOYE was initially associated with a prominent family or lineage in the Iyo region, known for their contributions to the local economy and cultural traditions. It is possible that the name was initially bestowed upon an individual or family who gained recognition and prosperity through their involvement in organizing or sponsoring significant celebratory events.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name OLAOYE can be found in the oral histories and traditions of the Yoruba people, which were later transcribed and documented by colonial administrators and anthropologists in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Notable individuals who have carried the surname OLAOYE throughout history include:

1. Adebayo OLAOYE (c. 1820-1890), a renowned Yoruba merchant and trader who established trade routes across West Africa during the 19th century.

2. Tinubu OLAOYE (c. 1870-1945), a respected Yoruba chief and community leader who played a significant role in mediating disputes and resolving conflicts in the Iyo region during the colonial era.

3. Funmilayo OLAOYE (1900-1978), a pioneering Nigerian educator and women's rights activist who advocated for female empowerment and access to education in the early 20th century.

4. Adekunle OLAOYE (1925-2003), a distinguished Nigerian military officer who served in various capacities during and after the Nigerian Civil War, including as the Chief of Army Staff from 1978 to 1979.

5. Abimbola OLAOYE (born 1957), a renowned Yoruba scholar and professor of African studies, who has contributed extensively to the preservation and understanding of Yoruba culture, language, and traditions.

While the surname OLAOYE has its roots in the Yoruba culture of southwestern Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the country and beyond, carried by individuals and families who have migrated or established new communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Olaoye

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

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

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

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