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

Turkson, 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 Turkson surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Turkson in America

Turkson is the 85049th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Turkson surname appeared 220 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 Turkson.

We can also compare 2010 data for Turkson 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 Turkson

The surname Turkson is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically in the country of Ghana. It is an Akan name, with roots in the Twi language spoken by the Akan people. The name Turkson is thought to be derived from the Akan word "turukuson," which means "king's child" or "royal offspring."

In the historical context of Ghana, the Akan people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back several centuries. The Akan kingdoms, such as the Ashanti Empire, played a significant role in the region's history. It is possible that the surname Turkson was initially associated with individuals who had direct lineage or connections to the royal families or nobility of these kingdoms.

While there are no specific records of the name Turkson appearing in ancient manuscripts or documents from Ghana, it is likely that the name has been in use for centuries within the Akan community. The earliest documented instances of the name may be found in colonial-era records or documents from the time of European exploration and trade in West Africa.

One notable individual bearing the surname Turkson was Dr. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, a Ghanaian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Born in 1948, he served as the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace from 2009 to 2016 and was considered a potential candidate for the papacy during the 2013 papal conclave.

Another prominent figure with the surname Turkson was Kwame Turkson, a Ghanaian diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs. He played a crucial role in Ghana's international relations during the late 20th century and represented the country at various international forums.

In the realm of sports, Emmanuel Turkson was a Ghanaian footballer who played as a midfielder for several clubs, including Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, in the 1990s and early 2000s. He also represented the Ghanaian national team and participated in international competitions.

Historically, the name Turkson may have been associated with certain place names or locations within the Akan regions of Ghana, although specific details about such connections are not widely documented. It is worth noting that variations in spelling or pronunciation of the name may have existed across different Akan communities or dialects.

Overall, the surname Turkson holds significant cultural and historical significance within the Akan community of Ghana, with its roots tracing back to the concept of royalty and nobility. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the rich heritage and traditions of the Akan people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Turkson

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

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

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

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