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

Savaiinaea, 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 Savaiinaea surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Savaiinaea in America

Savaiinaea is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Savaiinaea surname appeared 106 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 Savaiinaea.

The history of the last name Savaiinaea

The surname SAVAIINAEA has its origins in the Samoan islands, specifically the islands of Savai'i and Upolu. The name is derived from the Samoan words "sava'i" meaning "sacred" and "naea" meaning "dwell" or "abode." The earliest known records of the surname date back to the 16th century, when it was used to denote families who lived in designated sacred areas or lands.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the SAVAIINAEA surname gained prominence among the ali'i (chiefly) families of Samoa. Notable figures from this period include Tui SAVAIINAEA, a high chief who ruled over the district of Fa'asaleleaga on Savai'i in the late 1600s, and Tamasese SAVAIINAEA, a renowned orator and advisor to the Tui Manu'a paramount chiefs in the early 1700s.

In the 19th century, the SAVAIINAEA name was associated with several influential figures in Samoan history. Mata'afa SAVAIINAEA (1832-1912) was a prominent chief and leader who played a pivotal role in the Samoan political struggles against German and American interference. Lauaki SAVAIINAEA (1857-1939) was a respected orator and advisor to the Malietoa dynasty, known for his expertise in Samoan oratory and traditions.

Another notable figure was Tamasese SAVAIINAEA (1879-1944), who served as the Tupua Tamasese, a high chief and the first person from the SAVAIINAEA family to hold the prestigious Tupua title. He was a key figure in the Mau movement, which sought to protect Samoan independence and autonomy.

In more recent times, the SAVAIINAEA surname has continued to be associated with influential figures in Samoan society. Fiame Naomi Mata'afa SAVAIINAEA (born 1957) is a prominent politician who served as the first female Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa and is the current Prime Minister, leading the country since 2021.

While the SAVAIINAEA surname originated in Samoa, it has also gained recognition globally through individuals who have carried the name to various parts of the world. However, the historical roots and significance of this surname remain deeply intertwined with the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Samoan islands.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Savaiinaea

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

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

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

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