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

Olowu, 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 Olowu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Olowu in America

Olowu is the 104602nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Olowu surname appeared 171 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 Olowu.

The history of the last name Olowu

The surname Olowu is of Yoruba origin from southwestern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 15th or 16th century as a name associated with the Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba state that dominated the region during that time period.

The name Olowu is derived from the Yoruba words "olu" meaning "owner" or "lord", and "owu" which refers to a type of trade commodity or material goods. Together, the name Olowu can be interpreted to mean something along the lines of "owner of wealth" or "lord of goods".

While the exact origins of the name are unclear, some historians suggest it may have been a title or descriptor given to influential merchants or traders within the Oyo Empire's economic system. Others propose it could have referred to high-ranking officials or nobles responsible for managing the empire's resources and trade activities.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Olowu can be found in oral histories and folklore from the Oyo region, where it is mentioned in connection with certain prominent families and lineages. However, specific individuals bearing the name are not directly named in these accounts.

The first known documented use of the surname Olowu dates back to the late 17th century, when it appears in records related to the Oyo Empire's interactions with European traders and explorers visiting the region. An entry from 1691 mentions an "Olowu of Oyo" who was involved in negotiations with representatives of the Royal African Company of England.

Notable individuals with the surname Olowu throughout history include:

1. Abiodun Olowu (c. 1780 - 1837), a powerful military leader and regent of the Oyo Empire in the early 19th century.

2. Adeyinka Olowu (1906 - 1992), a Nigerian educator and one of the first female graduates of Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone.

3. Olajide Olowu (1923 - 2013), a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Western Nigeria in the 1960s.

4. Folarin Olowu (1935 - 2008), a Nigerian writer, playwright, and cultural activist known for his works exploring Yoruba traditions and folklore.

5. Abiola Olowu (born 1980), a contemporary Nigerian fashion designer and creative director based in London, known for her bold and unconventional designs.

While not as widely dispersed as some other African surnames, the name Olowu continues to be prevalent among certain Yoruba communities and families, particularly those with historical ties to the Oyo region and its once-powerful empire.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Olowu

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

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

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

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