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

Tauanuu, 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 Tauanuu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tauanuu in America

Tauanuu is the 85049th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tauanuu surname appeared 220 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 Tauanuu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tauanuu 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 Tauanuu

The surname TAUANUU is of Samoan origin, originating from the Polynesian islands of the South Pacific. The name likely dates back to the early 1800s, when written records were first kept in the Samoan islands.

TAUANUU is derived from the Samoan words "tau" meaning "warrior" and "nuu" meaning "village" or "district." It is believed to have been a title bestowed upon brave warriors who defended their villages from enemies or threats. As such, the surname would have carried a sense of honor and respect within Samoan communities.

While there are no historical references to the name in ancient manuscripts or records, it is likely that TAUANUU was initially a descriptive title or honorific rather than a hereditary surname. However, as was common practice across Polynesia, such titles often became adopted as family names over time.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the TAUANUU surname dates back to the late 19th century, with the birth of Tauanuu Ioapo in 1872. Ioapo was a respected chief and orator from the village of Falefa on the island of Upolu.

Another notable figure was Tauanuu Iakopo, born in 1895, who served as a paramount chief and advisor to the King of Samoa during the early 20th century. His influence and counsel were highly valued during a period of political upheaval and colonial rule.

In more recent history, Tauanuu Tamasese Tupuola Efi was a prominent Samoan author and academic, born in 1913. He played a significant role in preserving and promoting Samoan culture, language, and traditions through his writings and advocacy.

Tauanuu Salu Iosefo, born in 1925, was a celebrated Samoan athlete who excelled in various sports, including rugby and boxing. He represented Samoa in several international competitions and is remembered as a sporting icon in his home country.

The TAUANUU surname has also been carried by several members of the clergy, such as Tauanuu Iosefo Aiono, a respected minister and church leader who served in Samoa throughout the mid-20th century.

While the origins of the TAUANUU name can be traced back to the traditions and history of Samoa, it has since been carried by individuals around the world, reflecting the diaspora of Samoan communities and the enduring legacy of this proud Polynesian heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tauanuu

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

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

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

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