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

Taiwo, 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 Taiwo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Taiwo in America

Taiwo is the 37029th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Taiwo surname appeared 603 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 Taiwo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Taiwo 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 Taiwo

The surname "TAIWO" originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It emerged during the medieval period, around the 14th century, when the Yoruba kingdoms were flourishing in the region. The name is derived from the Yoruba words "ta" meaning "to taste" and "iwo" meaning "existence" or "life," reflecting a deep cultural significance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the historical records of the Oyo Empire, a prominent Yoruba kingdom that ruled over much of present-day southwestern Nigeria from the 14th to the 19th century. The name appears in various manuscripts and oral traditions, often associated with notable figures and families within the empire.

In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Taiwo Akinloye was mentioned in the annals of the Oyo Empire as a renowned warrior and advisor to the Alafin (king) of Oyo. His exploits and strategic counsel were celebrated, and his descendants continued to carry the surname, further solidifying its legacy.

During the 18th century, the name Taiwo gained recognition beyond the Yoruba heartland as the Oyo Empire expanded its influence through trade and diplomacy. Taiwo Oluwole, a skilled trader and diplomat, was instrumental in establishing trade routes and fostering relationships with neighboring kingdoms and empires.

In the 19th century, as the Yoruba kingdoms faced increasing pressures from external forces, the surname Taiwo continued to be associated with influential figures. Taiwo Olukoya, a respected scholar and teacher, played a pivotal role in preserving Yoruba cultural traditions and passing them down to subsequent generations.

Other notable individuals bearing the surname Taiwo include Taiwo Akingbolu (1820-1892), a prominent farmer and community leader in Ibadan, and Taiwo Oyewole (1865-1932), a renowned herbalist and traditional healer whose knowledge was sought after throughout the region.

The surname Taiwo has endured through the centuries, carrying the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of the Yoruba people. Its presence can be traced across various records, oral traditions, and historical accounts, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of this ancient surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Taiwo

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

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

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

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