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

Taku, 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 Taku surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Taku in America

Taku is the 145220th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Taku surname appeared 114 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 Taku.

The history of the last name Taku

The surname "TAKU" has its origins in West Africa and is believed to have emerged during the 15th century. It is thought to have derived from the Igbo word "taku," which means "wealth" or "prosperity." This surname was likely adopted by individuals or families who possessed significant wealth or status within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "TAKU" can be found in a document dating back to the late 16th century, which references a chief named Taku Okonkwo from the Igbo region of present-day Nigeria. This record suggests that the name had already gained prominence and recognition within the local communities at that time.

In the 18th century, the surname "TAKU" appeared in various historical accounts and records related to the transatlantic slave trade. Several individuals bearing this surname were documented as having been captured and forcibly transported from West Africa to the Americas during this period, where their descendants subsequently carried on the name.

One notable figure in history who bore the surname "TAKU" was Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745-1797), a prominent abolitionist and author who wrote an influential autobiography detailing his experiences as a slave. He is believed to have been born in the Igbo region of present-day Nigeria and was given the name Olaudah Equiano after being enslaved.

Another individual of note was Nwanna Taku (c. 1820-1890), a renowned trader and diplomat from the Igbo region who played a significant role in facilitating trade and fostering diplomatic relations between his people and the British colonial authorities in the 19th century.

In more recent times, the surname "TAKU" has been associated with various notable individuals, including Chike Taku (1931-2022), a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who founded one of the country's largest conglomerates, and Ifeoma Taku (born 1962), a Nigerian-American author and academic known for her works exploring themes of identity and diaspora.

While the surname "TAKU" has its roots in West Africa, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Taku

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

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

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

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