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

Poolaw, 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 Poolaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Poolaw in America

Poolaw is the 107669th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Poolaw surname appeared 165 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 Poolaw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Poolaw to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Poolaw

The surname Poolaw originates from the Native American Muskogee Creek tribe, whose ancestral homelands span across parts of modern-day Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Oklahoma. The name likely derives from the Creek word "pvlvhv," which translates to "those who gather" or "those who come together."

Poolaw first appeared in historical records during the late 18th century, when the Creek Nation encountered increased interactions with European settlers and traders. One of the earliest documented mentions of the name can be found in the 1832 Census Roll of Creek Indians, which lists several Poolaw families residing in the Creek Nation East.

As the 19th century progressed, the Poolaw name gained prominence within the Creek Nation. Notable individuals include Chilly McIntosh Poolaw (1810-1892), a respected Creek leader and activist who advocated for the rights of Native Americans during the tumultuous period of Indian Removal. Another influential figure was Levi Poolaw (1842-1924), a Baptist minister and educator who played a pivotal role in establishing several schools for Creek children.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Poolaw name spread beyond the Creek Nation as families migrated and settled in various parts of Oklahoma and the surrounding states. One notable individual from this era was William Poolaw (1871-1956), a skilled artist and craftsman renowned for his intricate beadwork and silversmithing.

During the 20th century, the Poolaw surname continued to carry on the legacy of their Creek heritage. Mary Golda Poolaw (1908-1992) was a celebrated potter and basket weaver, whose works are now housed in prestigious museums and cultural institutions. More recently, Joy Harjo (born 1951), a renowned poet and playwright of Muskogee Creek descent, has brought the Poolaw name to the forefront of contemporary literature and arts.

Throughout its history, the surname Poolaw has maintained strong ties to its Creek roots, reflecting the resilience and enduring traditions of the Muskogee people. While the name has evolved and spread across different regions, it remains a testament to the rich cultural heritage and collective spirit of the Creek Nation.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Poolaw

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

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 Poolaw 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Poolaw has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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