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

Vaea, 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 Vaea surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vaea in America

Vaea is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vaea surname appeared 106 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 Vaea.

The history of the last name Vaea

The surname VAEA has its origins in the Pacific Islands, specifically Samoa and Tonga. It is believed to have derived from the Samoan word "va'a," which means "canoe" or "boat." This suggests that the surname may have been associated with seafaring or fishing communities in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name VAEA can be found in 18th-century missionary records from Samoa. Samuel Vaea, born around 1760, was a prominent chief who played a significant role in the early Christian missionary efforts in the islands.

In the 19th century, the name VAEA gained prominence in Tonga. Sione Vaea, born in 1820, was a notable figure who served as the Governor of Vava'u, one of the island groups in Tonga. His contributions to the governance and development of the region were significant.

Another notable figure with the surname VAEA was Mele Vaea, born in 1865 in Tonga. She was a renowned educator and advocate for women's rights, establishing several schools and promoting education for girls in the Pacific Islands.

Moving into the 20th century, Malietau Tanumafili II Vaea, born in 1913, was a prominent leader in Samoa. He served as the Head of State and played a pivotal role in Samoa's transition to independence from New Zealand in 1962.

In more recent times, Pita Vaea, born in 1954, is a respected artist and sculptor from Samoa. His work has been widely exhibited and celebrated, capturing the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Pacific Islands.

The surname VAEA has also been associated with various place names in Samoa and Tonga, such as Vaea Village in Samoa and Vaea Beach in Tonga, further reinforcing its deep-rooted connections to the region.

While the surname VAEA may not have been as widely documented in historical records as some European surnames, its presence in the Pacific Islands can be traced back centuries, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the region and the significance of its seafaring traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vaea

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

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

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

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