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

Tapusoa, 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 Tapusoa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tapusoa in America

Tapusoa is the 120187th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tapusoa surname appeared 144 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 Tapusoa.

The history of the last name Tapusoa

The surname TAPUSOA has its origins in Samoa, where it has been traced back to the early 18th century. Historically, it was concentrated in the villages of Upolu Island, particularly around the coastal areas of Apia and Falefa. The name is believed to be derived from the Samoan words "ta" meaning "to strike" and "puso'a" referring to a type of hardwood tree found in the Pacific Islands.

Records show that one of the earliest known bearers of the name was Tapusoa Tauili, a respected chief and orator who lived in the village of Falefa in the late 1700s. He is mentioned in oral histories and traditional songs of the region for his wisdom and oratorical skills during village council meetings.

In the 19th century, the name appears in written records kept by European missionaries and traders who visited Samoa. A notable figure was Tapusoa Filisi, a skilled navigator and fisherman who was born in 1825 and lived in the village of Apia. He was known for his expertise in traditional Samoan seafaring techniques and his ability to read the stars and ocean currents.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Tapusoa Laufili, a skilled woodcarver and tattooist who lived in the late 19th century. Born in 1860, he was renowned for his intricate designs and his knowledge of traditional Samoan tattoo motifs and symbolism.

The name also appears in historical accounts of the Samoan civil war in the early 20th century. Tapusoa Talapusi, born in 1878, was a respected leader and warrior who fought alongside his village against opposing factions in the conflict that lasted from 1899 to 1910.

In more recent times, Tapusoa Pita, born in 1920, was a prominent figure in the Samoan independence movement and played a significant role in the country's transition to self-governance in the 1960s.

While the name TAPUSOA is relatively uncommon outside of Samoa, it has a rich cultural heritage and historical significance within the Samoan Islands, reflecting the traditions and way of life of its people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tapusoa

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

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

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

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