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

Tanuvasa, 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 Tanuvasa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tanuvasa in America

Tanuvasa is the 65424th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tanuvasa surname appeared 303 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 Tanuvasa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tanuvasa 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 Tanuvasa

The surname TANUVASA has its origins in the island nation of Samoa, situated in the South Pacific Ocean. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th century, derived from the Samoan words "tanu" meaning "to bury" and "vasa" meaning "ship." This combination suggests a connection to seafaring traditions or perhaps a historical event involving a shipwreck and burial at sea.

Early records of the TANUVASA name can be traced back to various oral histories and genealogical accounts preserved within Samoan families. These narratives often recount tales of ancestors who were seafarers, navigators, or chiefs with close ties to maritime activities.

One of the earliest documented references to the TANUVASA name appears in a handwritten manuscript dating back to the late 18th century, which details the lineage of a prominent Samoan chiefly family. This manuscript is currently housed in the archives of the Samoa National Library and Archives in Apia.

Notable individuals bearing the TANUVASA surname include Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (1835-1924), a prominent Samoan chief and orator who played a significant role in shaping the country's political landscape during the late 19th century. Another notable figure is Palepa Tanuvasa (1880-1952), a distinguished Samoan scholar and writer who contributed significantly to preserving and documenting Samoan culture and traditions.

In the realm of sports, Samoa has produced several athletes with the TANUVASA name, such as Filipo Tanuvasa (born 1988), a former rugby union player who represented Samoa at the international level. Additionally, Leaupepetele Tanuvasa (born 1992) is a Samoan sprinter who has competed in various international athletic competitions.

The TANUVASA surname can also be found among Samoan communities in other parts of the world, particularly in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, where many Samoans have immigrated and settled over the past few decades. While the name may have evolved slightly in spelling or pronunciation, its roots remain firmly grounded in Samoan culture and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tanuvasa

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

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

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

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