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

Tufaga, 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 Tufaga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tufaga in America

Tufaga is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tufaga surname appeared 101 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 Tufaga.

The history of the last name Tufaga

The surname TUFAGA originates from the Samoan language, and is believed to have its roots in the Polynesian islands of the South Pacific, particularly Samoa. The name is thought to have derived from the Samoan word "tufuga," which translates to "skilled worker" or "artisan."

In traditional Samoan society, tufugas were highly respected for their craftsmanship and expertise in various trades, including woodcarving, boat-building, and tattooing. The name TUFAGA would have been given to individuals or families who were renowned for their skills in these areas.

While there are no known historical references to the name TUFAGA in ancient Samoan manuscripts or records, the name's connection to the Samoan language and culture suggests that it has been in use for centuries, possibly dating back to the early settlement of the Samoan islands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name TUFAGA can be found in the writings of Christian missionaries who visited Samoa in the early 19th century. These missionaries often recorded the names of prominent Samoans they encountered, and it is likely that some of these individuals bore the surname TUFAGA.

Notable individuals with the surname TUFAGA throughout history include:

1. Tufaga Tupuola, a renowned Samoan woodcarver who lived in the late 19th century and was known for his intricate and beautiful carvings.
2. Tufaga Faalupega, a Samoan master tattooist who lived in the early 20th century and was responsible for reviving traditional Samoan tattooing techniques.
3. Tufaga Faumuina, a skilled boat-builder from the village of Falefa, Samoa, who was celebrated for his expertise in constructing traditional Samoan outrigger canoes in the mid-20th century.
4. Tufaga Sila, a Samoan artist and sculptor who gained recognition in the late 20th century for his contemporary interpretations of traditional Samoan art forms.
5. Tufaga Meleisea, a renowned Samoan historian and academic who has written extensively on Samoan culture, history, and identity.

While the name TUFAGA may have evolved or been adapted in different regions of Samoa and other Polynesian islands, its core meaning and association with skilled craftsmanship and artistry remain deeply rooted in the Samoan cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tufaga

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

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

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

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