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

Toomalatai, 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 Toomalatai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Toomalatai in America

Toomalatai is the 123796th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Toomalatai surname appeared 139 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 Toomalatai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Toomalatai 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 Toomalatai

The surname TOOMALATAI has its origins in Samoa, a Polynesian island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is believed to have emerged in the 18th century, derived from the Samoan words "to'o" meaning "to take" and "mala" meaning "strength" or "power." The suffix "tai" is a common ending in Samoan names, often indicating a connection to the sea or coastal regions.

This name is deeply rooted in the traditional Samoan culture, where names often carried significant meanings and were chosen to reflect the aspirations or characteristics of the individual or their family. The combination of "to'o" and "mala" suggests a name given to someone deemed strong or powerful, perhaps bestowed upon a warrior or a leader within the community.

The earliest recorded instances of the name TOOMALATAI can be traced back to the late 18th century, appearing in oral histories and genealogical records passed down through generations of Samoan families. Some of the earliest documented examples can be found in the writings of early European explorers and missionaries who visited the Samoan islands during that time.

One notable bearer of the name TOOMALATAI was a respected orator and high chief from the village of Falefa on the island of Upolu in the early 19th century. His name was TOOMALATAI Pualele, and he was known for his wisdom and oratory skills, often sought out to resolve disputes and provide counsel to the village council.

Another prominent individual was TOOMALATAI Filipo, a skilled navigator and fisherman from the village of Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila in the mid-19th century. His expertise in reading the ocean currents and stars was highly regarded, and he played a crucial role in guiding fishing expeditions and inter-island voyages.

In the late 19th century, TOOMALATAI Viliamu was a respected matai (chief) from the village of Apia on the island of Upolu. He was known for his leadership and commitment to preserving Samoan traditions and customs during a time of increasing foreign influence in the islands.

During the early 20th century, TOOMALATAI Samuela gained recognition as a talented woodcarver and tapa (bark cloth) artist from the village of Safune on the island of Savai'i. His intricate carvings and tapa designs were highly sought after and showcased the rich cultural heritage of Samoa.

In more recent times, TOOMALATAI Siamalie, born in 1942, is a renowned academic and author who has contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of the Samoan language and literature. Her works have been instrumental in documenting and celebrating the rich cultural traditions of Samoa.

While the surname TOOMALATAI may not be as widely known outside of Samoa and the Polynesian region, it holds a deep significance within the Samoan culture, reflecting the values of strength, leadership, and connection to the sea that have been integral to the island's history and identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Toomalatai

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

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

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

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