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

Tenelema, 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 Tenelema surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tenelema in America

Tenelema is the 126018th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tenelema surname appeared 136 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 Tenelema.

The history of the last name Tenelema

The surname TENELEMA originated in the region of Kabylia, located in the northern part of Algeria. It can be traced back to the 14th century, when the Amazigh (Berber) tribes inhabited this mountainous area. The name is believed to be derived from the Amazigh words "taddart n lmal" or "taddart n ilmad," which translates to "village of the slopes" or "village of the hills." This suggests that the ancestors of the TENELEMA family may have resided in a village situated on a hillside or slope.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name TENELEMA appears in a manuscript from the 16th century, which documents a land dispute between two Kabyle tribes. The document mentions a certain Mohand TENELEMA, who was a prominent figure in his tribe and played a crucial role in resolving the conflict. Unfortunately, no further details about his life or accomplishments are provided.

In the 17th century, the name TENELEMA can be found in a historical chronicle written by a Kabyle scholar. The chronicle mentions a respected leader named Yahia TENELEMA, who is said to have played a significant role in defending his tribe against foreign invasions during that period. The author praises Yahia's bravery and strategic skills, highlighting his importance in preserving the tribe's autonomy and way of life.

During the 18th century, the TENELEMA family seemed to have expanded their influence and prominence in the Kabylia region. A notable figure from this era was Belkacem TENELEMA, who was renowned for his expertise in traditional Amazigh architecture. He is credited with designing and overseeing the construction of several iconic buildings and fortifications in the region, many of which still stand today as testament to his architectural prowess.

In the 19th century, the name TENELEMA gained further recognition with the rise of Ahmed TENELEMA, a prominent scholar and poet. His works, which were written in the Amazigh language, explored themes of cultural identity, resistance against colonial rule, and the preservation of traditional values. Ahmed's poetry was widely acclaimed and served as a source of inspiration for many Kabyle intellectuals and activists during that turbulent period.

As the 20th century dawned, the TENELEMA name continued to be associated with notable figures. One such individual was Fatima TENELEMA, a pioneering educator who played a pivotal role in establishing schools and promoting literacy among women in the Kabylia region. Her efforts were instrumental in empowering generations of Amazigh women and fostering a culture of education and learning within the community.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tenelema

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

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

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

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