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

Uko, 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 Uko surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Uko in America

Uko is the 120187th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Uko surname appeared 144 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 Uko.

The history of the last name Uko

The surname UKO has its origins in West Africa, particularly among the Yoruba people of present-day Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the 14th century when surnames became more prevalent in the region. The name is derived from the Yoruba word "oko," which means "farm" or "farmland," indicating a possible association with agriculture or rural living.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname UKO can be found in the 16th century when a man named Ogunkowo UKO was mentioned in a local oral tradition as a respected farmer and village elder. This suggests that the name had already gained significance within the Yoruba community by that time.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Adewale UKO rose to prominence as a skilled warrior and leader during the Yoruba Wars. He played a crucial role in defending his community against neighboring kingdoms, and his exploits were documented in several oral histories and songs passed down through generations.

During the colonial era, the surname UKO was further solidified as a distinct family name. In 1856, a man named Oluwole UKO was recorded in British colonial records as a respected chief and landowner in the Oyo region of southwestern Nigeria.

Another prominent figure bearing the surname UKO was Akinlolu UKO, a renowned scholar and writer who lived from 1887 to 1964. He authored several books and articles on Yoruba culture, history, and language, contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of Yoruba heritage.

In the 20th century, Funmilayo UKO (1920-1995) gained recognition as a pioneering activist for women's rights and educational opportunities in Nigeria. She founded the Egba Women's Union and played a crucial role in the anti-colonial movement, advocating for gender equality and social justice.

While the surname UKO has its roots in West Africa, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its rich history and connection to the Yoruba people remain a significant part of its cultural legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Uko

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

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

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

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