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

Soumaré, 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 Soumaré surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Soumaré in America

Soumaré is the 75564th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Soumaré surname appeared 255 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 Soumaré.

The history of the last name Soumaré

The surname SOUMARE is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically in the region that is now part of Mali and Senegal. It is thought to have derived from the Soninke language, which is a Mande language spoken in parts of Mali, Senegal, and other neighboring countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the SOUMARE surname can be found in the writings of the famous Moroccan explorer and scholar, Ibn Battuta. During his travels through the Mali Empire in the 14th century, he mentioned encountering individuals with the surname SOUMARE, who were members of the influential Soninke trading community.

The SOUMARE name is believed to have originated from a Soninke word or phrase related to trade or commerce, reflecting the economic prowess of this community in the region during the medieval period. Some scholars suggest that it may be derived from the Soninke word "sumu," which means "to buy" or "to trade."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the SOUMARE surname. One of the earliest documented figures was Soumare Kassongo, a powerful Soninke trader and leader who lived in the 13th century and played a significant role in the rise of the Mali Empire.

In the 18th century, Soumare Coulibaly was a prominent military leader and advisor to the rulers of the Bambara Empire, which was centered in modern-day Mali. His strategic counsel and military exploits were crucial in shaping the empire's expansion and consolidation of power.

During the colonial era in West Africa, Soumare Ndiaye was a renowned resistance leader who fought against French colonial rule in Senegal in the late 19th century. He led a series of uprisings and became a symbol of the struggle for independence in the region.

In the 20th century, Soumare Diop was a renowned Senegalese writer and poet who made significant contributions to the literary landscape of Francophone Africa. His works explored themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of the post-colonial experience.

More recently, Soumare Sekou was a prominent Malian politician and diplomat who served as the country's Foreign Minister from 2002 to 2007. He played a crucial role in strengthening Mali's international relations and advocating for regional stability and cooperation.

While the SOUMARE surname has its roots in West Africa, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance remains deeply rooted in the cultural and economic heritage of the Soninke people and the broader Mande ethnic group.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Soumaré

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

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

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

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