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

Tegegn, 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 Tegegn surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tegegn in America

Tegegn is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tegegn surname appeared 106 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 Tegegn.

The history of the last name Tegegn

The surname TEGEGN is of Ethiopian origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient Aksumite Kingdom, which flourished in the region between the 1st and 8th centuries AD. It is derived from the Ge'ez language, one of the oldest Semitic tongues spoken in the Horn of Africa.

TEGEGN is believed to have originated from the Ge'ez word "tegegna," which translates to "scholar" or "learned person." This lends credence to the theory that the name was initially associated with individuals who possessed a deep knowledge of religion, philosophy, or other academic disciplines.

One of the earliest documented references to the TEGEGN surname can be found in the Ge'ez manuscript known as the "Kebra Nagast," a literary work that recounts the legendary origins of the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia. This manuscript, which dates back to the 14th century, mentions a scholar named Tekle Tegegn, who was celebrated for his wisdom and erudition.

Historically, the name TEGEGN has been closely tied to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, with many prominent clergymen and theologians bearing this surname. One such figure was Abba Tekle Tegegn, a 16th-century scholar and author of several religious texts, including commentaries on the Bible and the works of early Church Fathers.

Another notable bearer of the TEGEGN surname was Gebre Hanna Tekle Tegegn, a 19th-century Ethiopian nobleman and military leader who played a pivotal role in the campaigns against the invading Egyptian forces during the reign of Emperor Tewodros II.

In the realm of literature, the TEGEGN name is associated with Yoftahe Nigussie Tegegn, a prominent 20th-century poet and playwright who helped revive and promote the use of the Ge'ez language in modern Ethiopian literature.

Beyond Ethiopia, the TEGEGN surname has also found its way into the global diaspora, with individuals bearing this name residing in various countries around the world. However, its roots and historical significance remain deeply intertwined with the rich cultural heritage of Ethiopia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tegegn

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

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

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

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