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

Tuufuli, 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 Tuufuli surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tuufuli in America

Tuufuli is the 140157th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tuufuli surname appeared 119 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 Tuufuli.

The history of the last name Tuufuli

The surname TUUFULI has its origins in the Samoan language, originating in the island nation of Samoa in the South Pacific. The name likely emerged in the late 18th or early 19th century, as European explorers and missionaries began to document Samoan names and cultures.

TUUFULI is believed to be derived from the Samoan words "tuu" meaning "to stand" or "to be firm," and "fuli" meaning "to turn" or "to change direction." Thus, the name could potentially translate to something along the lines of "one who stands firm and changes direction," perhaps referring to a person's strength of character or adaptability.

While there are no known historical references to the name TUUFULI in ancient texts or manuscripts, some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in missionary accounts and ethnographic studies from the 19th century. One of the first documented individuals with the surname TUUFULI was Viliamu Tuufuli, a prominent Samoan chief who lived in the early 1800s.

Another notable figure bearing the name TUUFULI was Faailo Tuufuli, a Samoan warrior and leader who fought against colonial forces in the late 19th century. He was born around 1850 and played a significant role in the Samoan resistance against German and British colonization efforts.

In the 20th century, one of the most well-known individuals with the surname TUUFULI was Leiataua Tuufuli, a Samoan politician and diplomat who served as the first Prime Minister of Samoa from 1976 to 1982. He was born in 1923 and played a vital role in Samoa's transition to independence from New Zealand.

Another notable TUUFULI was Tauivi Tuufuli, a Samoan artist and sculptor who gained recognition for his intricate wood carvings and traditional artwork. He was born in 1935 and his works are displayed in museums and galleries around the world, celebrating Samoan cultural heritage.

Lastly, Aiono Tuufuli, a Samoan rugby union player, made a name for himself in the early 2000s, representing Samoa in international competitions and playing professionally in Europe. He was born in 1980 and played as a prop for various clubs, including Newcastle Falcons and Clermont Auvergne.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tuufuli

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

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

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

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