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

Tambunan, 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 Tambunan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tambunan in America

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

The Tambunan 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 Tambunan.

The history of the last name Tambunan

The surname "TAMBUNAN" originates from the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic group in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Its roots can be traced back to the early 18th century, when the Kadazan-Dusun people inhabited the interior regions of Sabah.

The name "TAMBUNAN" is derived from the Kadazan-Dusun word "tambun," which means "hill" or "highland." It likely refers to the hilly terrain of the Tambunan district, located in the interior of Sabah, where many Kadazan-Dusun communities were traditionally based.

Historical records from the British colonial era in Sabah mention the name "TAMBUNAN" in relation to various villages and settlements in the Tambunan district. These records provide insights into the early use and significance of the surname among the Kadazan-Dusun people.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname "TAMBUNAN" was Gimbang Tambunan, a prominent Kadazan-Dusun leader who lived in the late 19th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating with British colonial authorities and advocating for the rights of his people.

Another notable figure was Tun Mustapha Tambunan, a respected statesman and the first Governor of Sabah after the formation of Malaysia in 1963. He was born in 1912 and served as the Governor of Sabah until his retirement in 1975.

In the realm of literature, Elsie Tambunan, born in 1928, was a celebrated Kadazan-Dusun author and poet. Her works, written in the Kadazan-Dusun language, shed light on the cultural traditions and experiences of her people.

The name "TAMBUNAN" has also been associated with several prominent figures in modern Malaysian politics and business. For example, Wilfred Madius Tangau Tambunan, born in 1937, was a former Chief Minister of Sabah and a prominent political leader.

Throughout its history, the surname "TAMBUNAN" has maintained a strong connection to the Kadazan-Dusun community and their cultural heritage in Sabah, Malaysia. It is a testament to the rich diversity and traditions of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tambunan

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

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

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

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