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

Tavake, 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 Tavake surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tavake in America

Tavake is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tavake surname appeared 109 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 Tavake.

The history of the last name Tavake

The surname TAVAKE is believed to have originated in the Pacific Islands, specifically in the Polynesian region. It is thought to be derived from the Tongan language, where the word "tava" means "bowl" or "container," and the suffix "-ke" is a possessive marker, indicating ownership or belonging.

The earliest known records of the name TAVAKE date back to the 18th century, when European explorers and missionaries began documenting the indigenous populations of the Pacific Islands. One of the first recorded mentions of the name can be found in the journals of British explorer Captain James Cook, who encountered people bearing the surname during his voyages to the region in the late 1700s.

In the 19th century, as Polynesian communities began to adopt Western naming conventions, the surname TAVAKE became more widely established. It was common for individuals to take on surnames that reflected their occupation, physical characteristics, or place of origin, and the name TAVAKE may have been adopted by those involved in the production or use of bowls or containers.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname TAVAKE was Sione TAVAKE, a chief of the village of Ha'apai in Tonga in the early 1800s. He played a significant role in the introduction of Christianity to the island and was influential in the conversion of many Tongans to the new faith.

Another notable figure was Pita TAVAKE, a renowned navigator and explorer from Samoa in the late 19th century. He was known for his expertise in traditional Polynesian wayfinding techniques and participated in several voyages across the Pacific, helping to preserve and promote the region's maritime heritage.

In the 20th century, the name TAVAKE gained broader recognition with the rise of Polynesian artists and performers on the global stage. One such individual was Mele TAVAKE, a celebrated Tongan singer and dancer who toured extensively in the 1950s and 1960s, showcasing the traditional music and dance of her homeland.

Additionally, Sione TAVAKE Jr., a respected community leader and advocate for Tongan culture, gained prominence in the latter part of the 20th century. He was instrumental in establishing cultural organizations and events that celebrated and preserved the traditions of the Tongan diaspora.

While the surname TAVAKE has its roots in the Pacific Islands, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Polynesia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tavake

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

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

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

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