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

Otuafi, 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 Otuafi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Otuafi in America

Otuafi is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Otuafi surname appeared 101 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 Otuafi.

The history of the last name Otuafi

The surname OTUAFI originates from the Samoan Islands, and its earliest known records date back to the late 18th century. The name is derived from the Samoan words "otu" and "afi," which together translate to "family of fire" or "fire clan." This suggests that the name may have been associated with a particular village or lineage that held significance in the traditional Samoan culture.

The earliest written record of the name OTUAFI can be found in the journals of European explorers and missionaries who visited the Samoan Islands during the late 1700s and early 1800s. These accounts often included lists of local chiefs and prominent figures, some of whom bore the surname OTUAFI.

One notable individual with this surname was Otuafi Tauili'ili, a prominent chief and orator from the village of Falefa on the island of Upolu. He was born around 1780 and played a significant role in the island's political and cultural affairs during the early 19th century. Tauili'ili was renowned for his oratory skills and his extensive knowledge of Samoan traditions and customs.

Another historically significant figure was Otuafi Faimalo, a high chief from the village of Safune on the island of Savai'i. Born in the late 18th century, Faimalo was a respected leader and warrior who participated in several conflicts between rival villages and chieftains. His exploits were documented in oral traditions and legends passed down through generations.

In the mid-19th century, a chief named Otuafi Patea gained notoriety for his involvement in the Samoan Civil War, which erupted due to tensions between various factions vying for power and influence. Patea aligned himself with the Malietoa faction and played a crucial role in several battles during the conflict, which lasted from 1858 to 1862.

Another prominent figure was Otuafi Lealofi, a renowned navigator and explorer who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Lealofi was known for his exceptional seafaring skills and his voyages to distant islands within the Samoan archipelago and beyond. His navigational knowledge and expertise were highly valued in the traditional Samoan maritime culture.

In the early 20th century, an individual named Otuafi Siamaua made significant contributions to the preservation of Samoan cultural heritage and traditions. Siamaua was a respected orator, historian, and custodian of ancient Samoan knowledge, and he played a vital role in documenting and passing down the island's oral histories and customs to future generations.

While the surname OTUAFI is deeply rooted in Samoan history and culture, it is important to note that variations and alternative spellings may have existed in different regions and time periods, reflecting the evolution and adaptation of names across different linguistic and cultural contexts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Otuafi

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

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

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

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