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

Toleafoa, 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 Toleafoa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Toleafoa in America

Toleafoa is the 117480th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Toleafoa surname appeared 148 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 Toleafoa.

The history of the last name Toleafoa

The surname TOLEAFOA originates from the Samoan Islands, located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is believed to have emerged in the late 18th or early 19th century, derived from the Samoan words "tole" meaning "wave" and "afoa" meaning "leader" or "chief." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a leader or respected individual who lived near the ocean or was associated with the sea in some way.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the TOLEAFOA surname can be found in the journals of Christian missionaries who visited Samoa in the early 1800s. They documented interactions with local chiefs and prominent figures, some of whom likely bore this name. However, due to the oral tradition and limited written records of that time, it is challenging to pinpoint the exact origins and earliest documented use of the surname.

In the latter half of the 19th century, as Samoa became more integrated into the global community, the TOLEAFOA name began appearing in official records and documents. One notable individual was Toleafoa Fa'amaoni (1855-1923), a Samoan chief and political leader who played a significant role in the nation's governance during the transition to colonial rule.

Another prominent figure was Toleafoa Afi Lape (1885-1962), a revered orator and keeper of Samoan oral traditions. He was highly respected for his knowledge of genealogies, customs, and cultural practices, and worked to preserve and pass on these traditions to future generations.

In the 20th century, the TOLEAFOA name continued to be associated with individuals of influence and leadership within Samoan communities. Toleafoa Aloese (1920-1998) was a renowned educator and advocate for Samoan language and culture, serving as the principal of several prestigious schools in Samoa.

Toleafoa Filifili (1932-2011) was a successful businessman and entrepreneur who played a vital role in the economic development of Samoa. He founded several companies and was actively involved in various community organizations and initiatives.

The TOLEAFOA surname has remained prevalent in Samoa and among Samoan diaspora communities around the world. While its origins may be rooted in ancient traditions and oral histories, the name has endured as a symbol of leadership, respect, and connection to the rich cultural heritage of the Samoan Islands.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Toleafoa

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

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!