Tecle last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Tecle

An Ethiopian surname of uncertain origin, potentially derived from a Semitic root.

Tecle, 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 Tecle surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tecle in America

Tecle is the 84463rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tecle surname appeared 222 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 Tecle.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tecle 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 84463 121780 -36.19%
Count 222 131 51.56%
Proportion per 100k 0.08 0.05 46.15%

The history of the last name Tecle

The surname TECLE is of Ethiopian origin, tracing its roots back several centuries. It is believed to have originated from the Tigrinya language spoken in the northern regions of Ethiopia and parts of Eritrea. The name is derived from the Tigrinya word "tekle," which means "plant" or "vegetation."

One of the earliest known references to the name TECLE can be found in the ancient manuscripts of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, dating back to the 13th century. These manuscripts often recorded the names of prominent individuals, including religious leaders, scholars, and members of the nobility. The name TECLE appeared frequently, suggesting that it was a well-established surname within the Ethiopian community during that period.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Tekle Haymanot, an Ethiopian monk and religious leader, gained widespread recognition for his contributions to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He established several monasteries and played a significant role in the spread of Christianity throughout the region. Tekle Haymanot's influence and legacy likely contributed to the further propagation of the surname TECLE among his followers and descendants.

During the 17th century, a prominent Ethiopian scholar and historian named Tekle Tsadik Makuriya wrote extensively about the history and culture of his homeland. His works, which included chronicles and religious texts, provided valuable insights into the lives and customs of the Ethiopian people, including references to individuals bearing the surname TECLE.

Another notable figure with the surname TECLE was Tekle Giyorgis, an Ethiopian nobleman who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He served as a governor and military leader, playing a pivotal role in various conflicts and negotiations during a turbulent period in Ethiopian history.

In the 19th century, Tekle Hawaryat Tekle Maryam, an Ethiopian scholar and linguist, made significant contributions to the study and preservation of the Ge'ez language, which was the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. His works helped to maintain and document this ancient language, ensuring its continued use and appreciation among scholars and the Ethiopian community.

While the surname TECLE has its origins in Ethiopia, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical roots and connections to the rich cultural heritage of Ethiopia remain evident in its etymological origins and the notable individuals who have carried this name throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tecle

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

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 Tecle was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Black Only 93.24% 207
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 2.70% 6
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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 Tecle has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White (S)% 3.82% (S)%
Black 93.24% 79.39% 16.05%
Asian and Pacific Islander (S)% (S)% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races 2.70% 16.03% -142.34%
Hispanic (S)% (S)% (S)%

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

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

Reference this page

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Tecle last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/tecle-surname-popularity/.

"Tecle last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/tecle-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Tecle last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/tecle-surname-popularity/.

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