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

Somuah, 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 Somuah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Somuah in America

Somuah is the 98099th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Somuah surname appeared 185 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 Somuah.

The history of the last name Somuah

The surname Somuah has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the region now known as Ghana. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th century, a period when the powerful Ashanti Empire was at its peak. The name is derived from the Akan language, one of the major languages spoken in Ghana, and is thought to have originated from the words "soma" meaning "to read" and "ahoa" meaning "message" or "announcement."

Records of the name Somuah can be traced back to the mid-16th century, with references found in ancient Ashanti manuscripts and oral histories. These early accounts suggest that the Somuah family held a prominent role in the royal courts of the Ashanti Kingdom, serving as advisors, messengers, and interpreters to the king and his council.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, as European explorers and traders began to establish contact with the coastal regions of West Africa, the name Somuah appeared in various written accounts and journals. One notable example is the diary of a Dutch merchant, Jan van der Laan, who documented his interactions with a respected Somuah elder during his travels in the region in the late 1700s.

As the centuries progressed, the Somuah name spread beyond the borders of Ghana, with many individuals bearing this surname venturing to other parts of Africa and eventually to other continents. Among the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Kwame Somuah, a renowned Ghanaian scholar and linguist who lived from 1820 to 1892. His influential work on preserving and documenting the Akan language and oral traditions was widely recognized during his lifetime.

Another notable figure was Akua Somuah, a powerful chieftain and leader in the Ashanti Empire during the late 19th century. She played a crucial role in the resistance against British colonization and is remembered for her bravery and leadership during a period of great upheaval.

In the 20th century, the name Somuah gained further prominence with individuals such as Kwesi Somuah, a celebrated Ghanaian artist and sculptor whose works were exhibited internationally and are now housed in museums around the world. He lived from 1924 to 2002.

Additionally, Efua Somuah, a pioneering Ghanaian writer and educator, made significant contributions to the literary landscape of Ghana. Born in 1920, her works explored themes of cultural identity, women's rights, and societal issues, and she is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Ghanaian literature.

Throughout its history, the surname Somuah has been associated with individuals who have played important roles in various fields, from academia and the arts to politics and leadership. While its origins can be traced back to the Ashanti Empire of West Africa, the name has since spread across the globe, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and a legacy of achievement.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Somuah

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

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

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

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