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

Tafa, 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 Tafa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tafa in America

Tafa is the 104156th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tafa surname appeared 172 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 Tafa.

The history of the last name Tafa

The surname TAFA has its origins in the Middle East, with roots tracing back to the Arabic language. It is believed to have originated in the region of modern-day Syria and Lebanon, where it was initially used as a descriptive term or nickname.

One of the earliest known references to the name TAFA can be found in historical manuscripts from the 11th century, where it was documented as being used by a prominent family in the city of Damascus. This family is believed to have played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of the city during that time period.

As the name spread throughout the region, it underwent various spelling variations, including Tafah, Tafay, and Tafeh. These variations were likely influenced by local dialects and the evolution of the Arabic language over time.

During the 12th century, records indicate that a notable scholar and philosopher by the name of Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Tafa was born in the city of Aleppo, Syria. He made significant contributions to the fields of logic and metaphysics, and his works were widely studied and discussed throughout the Islamic world.

In the 14th century, a prominent merchant family known as the Tafa clan established a thriving trade network that spanned from the Middle East to North Africa. Their influence extended to cities such as Cairo, Tunis, and Tripoli, where they established trading outposts and contributed to the economic prosperity of the region.

Another notable figure with the surname TAFA was Khalil Tafa, a 16th-century Ottoman architect and engineer. He is credited with designing and overseeing the construction of several iconic mosques and public buildings in Istanbul, including the famous Süleymaniye Mosque, which remains a architectural masterpiece to this day.

In the 19th century, a renowned poet and writer named Mustafa Tafa emerged from the city of Beirut, Lebanon. His poetic works, which often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, gained widespread acclaim throughout the Arab world and inspired generations of writers and artists.

As the surname TAFA spread across the globe through migration and cultural exchange, it became associated with various place names and localities. For example, in parts of North Africa, the name was linked to the village of Tafaya, while in certain regions of the Middle East, it was associated with the town of Tafar.

Throughout history, the surname TAFA has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including scholars, merchants, artists, and architects. While the name may have evolved and adapted to different cultures and regions, its roots remain firmly grounded in the rich heritage and history of the Middle East.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tafa

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

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

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

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