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

Tafari, 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 Tafari surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tafari in America

Tafari is the 126018th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tafari surname appeared 136 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 Tafari.

The history of the last name Tafari

The surname Tafari is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, a country located in the Horn of Africa. It emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when Ethiopia was undergoing significant cultural and political changes.

The name Tafari is derived from the Amharic language, which is one of the major languages spoken in Ethiopia. It is thought to have roots in the phrase "Tafarra Makwannan," which translates to "one who is respected or revered." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to denote individuals of high social standing or those who held positions of authority.

Historical records indicate that the earliest known person to bear the surname Tafari was Ras Tafari Makonnen (1892-1975), who later became known as Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Born in the city of Ejersa Goro, Ras Tafari Makonnen rose to prominence as a member of the Solomonic dynasty and played a crucial role in the modernization of Ethiopia.

Another notable figure with the surname Tafari was Woizero Zauditu (1876-1930), who served as the Empress of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1930. She was the daughter of Emperor Menelik II and the aunt of Ras Tafari Makonnen, who later succeeded her to the throne.

The surname Tafari also appears in the historical records of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. One such mention is found in the writings of Abba Samuel, a prominent Ethiopian monk and scholar from the 17th century, who referred to a monk named Tafari in his works.

In the 18th century, there was a notable figure named Dejazmach Tafari Goshu, who was a governor in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. He played a significant role in the political affairs of the region during his time.

Another individual with the surname Tafari who left a mark on history was Lij Tafari Makonnen (1884-1933), a relative of Emperor Haile Selassie I and a prominent figure in the Ethiopian nobility. He served as a governor in various provinces and was known for his efforts in modernizing the administrative systems of the regions under his governance.

While the surname Tafari is most closely associated with Ethiopia, it is important to note that due to historical migrations and diasporas, individuals bearing this name may now reside in various parts of the world. However, the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the rich cultural and historical heritage of Ethiopia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tafari

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

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

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

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