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

Tagaloa, 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 Tagaloa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tagaloa in America

Tagaloa is the 74608th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tagaloa surname appeared 259 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 Tagaloa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tagaloa to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Tagaloa

The surname Tagaloa is believed to have originated in the Samoan Islands, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. The name is derived from the Samoan language and refers to the supreme god or creator deity in Samoan mythology, also known as Tagaloa-a-lagi.

Historically, the name Tagaloa can be traced back to the ancient Samoan oral traditions and legends, which were passed down through generations of storytellers and orators. These stories often featured Tagaloa as the powerful and revered figure who created the heavens, the earth, and all living beings.

While there are no known early written records specifically mentioning the surname Tagaloa, it is believed that the name gained prominence among certain Samoan families and clans who may have had a close connection or association with the religious and cultural significance of the Tagaloa deity.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname Tagaloa was Tui Tagaloa, a prominent Samoan chief who lived in the 18th century. He was known for his leadership and influence in the island of Savai'i, one of the larger islands in the Samoan archipelago.

Another notable figure was Tupua Tamasese Tagaloa, a Samoan chief and political leader who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence from colonial powers in the early 20th century. He was born in 1869 and passed away in 1952.

In the realm of literature, the Samoan writer and scholar Albert Wendt, born in 1939, has contributed greatly to the preservation and promotion of Samoan culture and traditions. His works often explore themes of identity, mythology, and the complexities of life in the Pacific islands.

Tagaloa Galea'i, born in 1953, is another notable individual with this surname. He is a former Samoan rugby union player who represented Samoa in international competitions and was part of the team that participated in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.

Additionally, Tagaloa Anae, born in 1958, is a renowned Samoan academic and author who has written extensively on Samoan culture, language, and education. His works have shed light on the rich heritage and traditions of the Samoan people.

While the surname Tagaloa is predominantly found in Samoa and among Samoan communities around the world, it holds a significant cultural and historical significance, deeply rooted in the mythology and oral traditions of the Samoan islands.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tagaloa

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

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 Tagaloa 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Tagaloa has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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