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

Tsomo, 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 Tsomo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tsomo in America

Tsomo is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tsomo surname appeared 127 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 Tsomo.

The history of the last name Tsomo

The surname TSOMO is believed to have originated from the African country of Botswana, dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Tswana language, which is widely spoken in Botswana and neighboring regions. The name is thought to be derived from the word "tsomo," meaning "waterhole" or "small body of water."

One of the earliest known references to the surname TSOMO can be found in the oral histories and traditions of the Batswana people, the dominant ethnic group in Botswana. These oral accounts often mentioned individuals with the surname TSOMO, who were associated with various clans and settlements near natural water sources.

The first recorded instance of the surname TSOMO in written form dates back to the late 18th century, when European explorers and missionaries began documenting their encounters with the Batswana people. One such example is the journal of the Dutch explorer Hendrik Wikar, who in 1779 mentioned meeting a man named Kgosi Tsomo, a chief of a local village.

In the 19th century, the surname TSOMO gained more prominence as the Batswana people became more integrated into the colonial system of the British Empire. Several individuals with the surname TSOMO played significant roles in the socio-political landscape of the region during this time.

One notable figure was Kgosi Khama III Tsomo (1837-1923), a powerful chief of the Bamangwato people and an influential leader in the resistance against the encroachment of British rule. Another prominent individual was Motsete Tsomo (1860-1932), a renowned healer and spiritual leader who made significant contributions to the preservation of traditional Tswana culture and practices.

Other historical figures bearing the surname TSOMO include Mmadipele Tsomo (1875-1952), a renowned potter and craftswoman whose works are now considered treasures of Botswana's cultural heritage, and Lebang Tsomo (1905-1987), a prominent educator and activist who played a pivotal role in the development of Botswana's education system.

Throughout the 20th century, the surname TSOMO continued to be a prominent name in Botswana, with many individuals bearing the name making notable contributions in various fields, including politics, arts, and academia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tsomo

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

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

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

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