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

Tarawally, 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 Tarawally surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tarawally in America

Tarawally is the 88020th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tarawally surname appeared 211 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 Tarawally.

The history of the last name Tarawally

The surname Tarawally has its roots in West Africa, specifically within the region that is now known as Sierra Leone. It is believed to have originated during the 13th or 14th century, reflecting the linguistic heritage of the Temne people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Sierra Leone.

The name Tarawally is thought to be derived from the Temne word "tara," which means "town" or "village," and the suffix "-wally," which may have indicated a connection to a particular location or lineage. This suggests that the Tarawally surname may have initially identified individuals or families from a specific town or village within the Temne territory.

Early records and manuscripts containing the Tarawally name are scarce due to the oral traditions and limited written documentation of the time. However, some historical accounts mention individuals with similar surnames, such as Tarawallie or Tarawali, suggesting the name's presence in the region for several centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Tarawally name can be found in the writings of British explorer and author Mungo Park, who journeyed through West Africa in the late 18th century. Park's accounts mention encountering individuals with the surname Tarawally during his travels through Sierra Leone and the surrounding areas.

Notable individuals who have carried the Tarawally surname throughout history include:

1. Alhaji Tarawally (c. 1860 - c. 1940), a prominent Sierra Leonean trader and businessman known for his extensive commercial endeavors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

2. Ibrahim Tarawally (1925 - 1992), a Sierra Leonean politician who served as the country's Minister of Education and Minister of Information during the 1970s and 1980s.

3. Fatmata Tarawally (born 1950), a Sierra Leonean writer and activist known for her work in promoting women's rights and education in the country.

4. Mohamed Tarawally (1932 - 2001), a Sierra Leonean diplomat who served as the country's ambassador to several nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

5. Abdul Tarawally (born 1965), a Sierra Leonean footballer who played as a striker for various clubs in Europe and Africa during the 1980s and 1990s.

While the Tarawally surname has its origins in Sierra Leone, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, the name's deep-rooted connection to the Temne people and the historical significance of its meaning remain a testament to the rich cultural heritage of West Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tarawally

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

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

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

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