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

Sawadogo, 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 Sawadogo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sawadogo in America

Sawadogo is the 94311th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sawadogo surname appeared 194 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 Sawadogo.

The history of the last name Sawadogo

The surname Sawadogo originates from the West African country of Burkina Faso. It is a name that can be traced back to the Mossi ethnic group, which has inhabited the region for centuries. The name is believed to derive from the words "sa" meaning cattle and "wado" meaning owner or keeper, reflecting the pastoral heritage of the Mossi people.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Sawadogo can be found in the oral traditions and historical narratives passed down through generations within the Mossi community. These accounts often reference figures or events from the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Mossi kingdoms were at the peak of their influence in the region.

The name Sawadogo has been prominent among the ruling class and nobility of the Mossi kingdoms. Historical records from the 17th and 18th centuries document several influential individuals bearing this surname, such as Naaba Sawadogo, a renowned ruler of the Ouagadougou kingdom in the late 1600s, and Mogho Naaba Sawadogo, a powerful military leader who expanded the Mossi territory in the 1700s.

In the 19th century, the name gained further recognition with the exploits of Ouédraogo Sawadogo, a renowned warrior and strategist who played a pivotal role in defending the Mossi territories against French colonial forces. His resistance efforts solidified the Sawadogo name as a symbol of bravery and resilience among the Mossi people.

Another notable figure from the late 19th century was Yennenga Sawadogo, a revered princess and legendary figure in Mossi folklore. Her story of courage and leadership in guiding her people to safety during a period of turmoil has become an integral part of the Mossi cultural heritage.

As the Mossi kingdoms declined in the 20th century, the Sawadogo name continued to hold significance, with individuals like Salfo Sawadogo, a prominent politician and advocate for Mossi rights during the early years of Burkina Faso's independence from French colonial rule.

Throughout history, the Sawadogo surname has been closely associated with the rich cultural traditions and historical narratives of the Mossi people, reflecting their resilience, leadership, and deep connection to the land and its pastoral heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sawadogo

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

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

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

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