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

Tupua, 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 Tupua surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tupua in America

Tupua is the 77012th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tupua surname appeared 249 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 Tupua.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tupua 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 Tupua

The surname TUPUA originated in Samoa, an archipelago of islands located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is believed to have been derived from the Samoan language, where "tupua" means "supernatural being" or "spirit." The name likely originated in the 18th century or earlier, during the period when Samoan culture and traditions were deeply rooted.

In Samoan mythology, tupua were revered as powerful and sacred entities, often associated with natural phenomena such as storms, earthquakes, or natural wonders. It is possible that the surname TUPUA was initially bestowed upon individuals who were believed to possess spiritual or mystical abilities or were regarded as having a connection with the supernatural realm.

While there are no known historical references to the name TUPUA in ancient manuscripts or records, it is likely that the name was passed down through oral traditions and storytelling within Samoan communities. The earliest recorded instances of the name may be found in genealogical records or colonial documents from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when European explorers and missionaries began documenting Samoan culture and society.

One notable individual with the surname TUPUA was Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III (1901-1963), a prominent Samoan chief and political leader who played a crucial role in the early stages of Samoa's independence movement. He served as the co-head of state of Samoa from 1962 until his death.

Another individual with the surname TUPUA was Tupua Tamasese Meaole (1854-1915), a high-ranking Samoan chief and orator who played a significant role in the discussions and negotiations surrounding the partition of Samoa between the United States, Germany, and Britain in the late 19th century.

Tupua Sulu'ape Paulo (1917-1995) was a Samoan politician and statesman who served as the second Prime Minister of Samoa from 1976 to 1982. He was a prominent figure in Samoa's political landscape and played a key role in shaping the country's development and international relations.

Tupua Tupuola Efi (1934-2015) was a Samoan academic and diplomat who served as the first Prime Minister of Samoa from 1976 to 1982. He was also the first Chancellor of the National University of Samoa and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the university.

Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi (1938-2021) was a Samoan paramount chief and diplomat who served as the Head of State of Samoa from 2007 to 2017. He was a respected figure in Samoan society and played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Samoan culture and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tupua

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

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

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

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