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

Oteng, 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 Oteng surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oteng in America

Oteng is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oteng surname appeared 128 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 Oteng.

The history of the last name Oteng

The surname Oteng has its origins in the West African nation of Ghana. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th century among the Akan people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Ghana. The name is derived from the Akan word "oteng," which means "stranger" or "visitor."

In the early days of Akan society, the name Oteng was likely given to individuals who had moved from one village or town to another, marking them as newcomers or outsiders in their new community. It may have also been applied to those who had traveled from distant lands and settled among the Akan people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Oteng can be found in the writings of Dutch traders and travelers who visited the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. These accounts often mentioned Akan chiefs and other notable individuals, some of whom bore the name Oteng.

In the 18th century, the Oteng surname appeared in various records kept by European colonial administrators and missionaries. One notable figure from this period was Nana Oteng Akenten, a paramount chief of the Akuapem state who ruled in the late 1700s and was known for his resistance against British colonial expansion.

As the Akan people migrated and settled in different parts of Ghana, the name Oteng spread across the country. In the 19th century, it could be found in regions such as Ashanti, Akyem, and Akuapem, among others.

One of the most famous individuals with the Oteng surname was Kofi Oteng Ayepah (1919-2007), a Ghanaian lawyer, politician, and diplomat who played a significant role in the country's independence movement. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly and later as the first Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana after independence in 1957.

Another notable figure was Nana Oteng Korankye II (1922-2005), who was the Omanhene (paramount chief) of the Akuapem Traditional Area in the Eastern Region of Ghana from 1972 until his death. He was a respected leader and advocate for traditional values.

In the 20th century, the Oteng surname also gained prominence in the field of education. One example is Dr. Kwame Oteng (1927-2011), a renowned Ghanaian educator and academic who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana from 1976 to 1982.

Additionally, the name Oteng has been carried by several accomplished Ghanaian athletes, including Ohene Oteng (born 1970), a former professional footballer who played for clubs in Ghana and Europe, and Kwame Oteng (born 1986), a sprinter who represented Ghana in international competitions.

Throughout its history, the surname Oteng has been closely tied to the Akan people and their rich cultural heritage. While its origins may have been humble, marking those who were once strangers or visitors, it has become a respected name associated with leadership, education, and achievement in various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oteng

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

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

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

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