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

Tepe, 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 Tepe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tepe in America

Tepe is the 23472nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tepe surname appeared 1,083 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 Tepe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tepe 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 Tepe

The surname TEPE has its origins in Turkey, with roots dating back to the 14th century. The name is derived from the Turkish word "tepe," which translates to "hill" or "mound." It is believed to have been initially used as a descriptive name for individuals residing in or near hilly areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the TEPE surname can be found in Ottoman archives from the mid-15th century, where it was mentioned in reference to a landowner in the region of Anatolia. This suggests that the name may have been adopted by prominent individuals or families who owned properties on or near hills.

During the Ottoman Empire's expansion, the TEPE surname spread across various regions, including parts of the Balkans and the Middle East. Historic records from the 16th century indicate the presence of individuals bearing this surname in cities like Istanbul and Bursa, which were major centers of trade and culture at the time.

In the 17th century, the TEPE surname gained prominence in the Ottoman court, with several notable figures emerging. One such individual was Ahmed Tepe (1590-1662), a renowned Ottoman scholar and poet who served as the chief tutor to the imperial princes.

Another historical figure of note was Mehmet Tepe (1715-1785), a skilled architect who contributed to the design and construction of several iconic mosques and palaces in Istanbul during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I.

As the Ottoman Empire declined in the 19th century, many Turks bearing the TEPE surname migrated to various parts of Europe and the Americas, seeking new opportunities. One such individual was Ali Tepe (1825-1894), a Turkish merchant who settled in Marseille, France, and established a successful trading business.

In the 20th century, the TEPE surname gained further recognition through the achievements of individuals like Mehmet Tepe (1910-1988), a renowned Turkish archaeologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of ancient Anatolian civilizations through his excavations and research.

Another notable figure was Fatma Tepe (1928-2005), a Turkish writer and activist who advocated for women's rights and education. Her works, including novels and short stories, explored the challenges faced by women in traditional Turkish society.

While the surname TEPE is predominantly found in Turkey and among Turkish diaspora communities worldwide, it has also been adopted by individuals of various ethnic backgrounds over time, reflecting the cultural diversity and historical interconnectedness of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tepe

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

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

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

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