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

Sambou, 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 Sambou surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sambou in America

Sambou is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sambou surname appeared 122 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 Sambou.

The history of the last name Sambou

The surname Sambou has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the region now known as Senegal. It is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 15th or 16th century. The name is derived from the Wolof language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Senegal. The word "sambou" is thought to have meant "warrior" or "soldier" in ancient Wolof.

Historically, the Sambou name was prominent among the Serer people, an ethnic group native to the Sine-Saloum region of modern-day Senegal. The earliest known records of the name date back to the 16th century, when it appeared in local chronicles and oral histories. One notable figure was Sambou Mbacke, a renowned Serer warrior and leader who lived in the late 16th century and played a crucial role in defending his people against foreign invaders.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Sambou name gained further recognition as several individuals bearing this surname rose to prominence. One such figure was Demba Sambou, a skilled diplomat and negotiator who helped establish trade agreements between the Serer kingdoms and European powers like France and Portugal in the late 17th century.

In the 19th century, the Sambou name was linked to the Senegalese resistance against French colonial rule. Moussa Sambou, born in 1835, was a prominent military leader who organized guerilla forces to fight against the French occupation of Senegal. His bravery and tactical skills earned him a reputation as a formidable opponent to the colonial forces.

Another noteworthy figure was Ibrahima Sambou, a renowned scholar and Islamic teacher who lived in the late 19th century. He founded a influential educational institution in the city of Kaolack, which became a center for the study of Islamic sciences and played a significant role in preserving Serer cultural traditions.

In the 20th century, the Sambou name continued to be associated with various fields, including politics, education, and the arts. One prominent individual was Ousmane Sambou, a celebrated Senegalese writer and poet who was born in 1920. His works, which often explored themes of identity, tradition, and cultural heritage, earned him widespread recognition both in Senegal and internationally.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sambou

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

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

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

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