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

Whitebuffalo, 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 Whitebuffalo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitebuffalo in America

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

The Whitebuffalo 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 Whitebuffalo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitebuffalo 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 Whitebuffalo

The surname Whitebuffalo is an evocative and culturally rich name with roots deeply embedded in Native American heritage, specifically among the Plains tribes, including the Lakota Sioux and other related tribes. Originating likely in the 18th or 19th century, the name Whitebuffalo was not only a surname but also a significant spiritual symbol. The name is derived from the Lakota words "pȟeží šá" meaning "white" and "tȟatȟáŋka" meaning "buffalo."

Whitebuffalo holds profound cultural significance among the Native Americans of the Great Plains. The white buffalo itself is regarded as a sacred creature, representing purity, rarity, and spiritual importance. Historical references to the name Whitebuffalo appear in various oral traditions passed down through generations, as written records among Native Americans were scarce until interaction with European settlers.

Early recorded examples of the surname Whitebuffalo date back to the late 19th century. A notable individual is White Buffalo Woman, a respected Lakota figure born around 1905 and revered as a spiritual leader until her death in 1982. Her contributions to Lakota cultural preservation were tremendous, and she played a pivotal role in maintaining traditional practices.

Another prominent bearer of the surname was Chief White Buffalo of the Plains Cree, born circa 1847 and documented in several Canadian government treaties of the late 19th century. He was known for his leadership and resistance against the increasing encroachment on Cree lands.

White Buffalo Calf Woman, who is sometimes intertwined with mythology, is a legendary figure among the Lakota people. Believed to have appeared in the 19th century, she is attributed with bringing the sacred pipe to the Lakota Sioux and is a central figure in their spiritual lore.

In historical contexts, the surname Whitebuffalo appears in records of interactions between Native American tribes and European settlers. These records, while often incomplete or biased, provide glimpses into the names and lives of individuals like John Whitebuffalo, born around 1880, who emerged as an intermediary and interpreter during treaty negotiations and was mentioned in several governmental transcripts of the early 20th century.

Another individual of note is Mary Whitebuffalo, born in 1875, who was a prominent activist for Native American rights and played a significant role in women's suffrage within Native communities. Her death in 1943 marked the loss of a fervent advocate for the preservation of her culture and rights for Native women.

The surname Whitebuffalo also appears in early 20th-century legal documents and census records within reservations, though these instances are often limited and offer only partial glimpses into the lives of those who bore the name.

Famous places named after individuals with the surname include White Buffalo Creek, which traverses through parts of South Dakota, and has its name rooted in the sightings and the cultural importance of the white buffalo in those regions.

The history of the surname Whitebuffalo is embedded in a rich tapestry of cultural, spiritual, and historical significance, reflecting the deep interconnection between Native American identity and the natural world. As a surname, it stands as a reminder of the enduring legacy and contributions of Native American culture and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitebuffalo

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

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

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

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