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

Workneh, 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 Workneh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Workneh in America

Workneh is the 85357th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Workneh surname appeared 219 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 Workneh.

The history of the last name Workneh

The surname Workneh originates from Ethiopia, a country with a rich and ancient history. The name has its roots in the Amharic language, one of the primary languages spoken in Ethiopia. In Amharic, Workneh means "You are gold" or "You are precious," deriving from the word "work," which translates to "gold," and "neh," a form of address meaning "you are."

The regions most associated with the surname Workneh are predominantly in the central and northern parts of Ethiopia, particularly in areas like Addis Ababa and the historically significant Amhara and Tigray regions. There are no early written records such as the Domesday Book in Ethiopian history that extensively document surnames, given the different historical and cultural context in which Ethiopian societies recorded lineage and history. However, oral history and royal chronicles have recorded the use of the name in various forms.

One of the earliest documented uses of the surname Workneh can be found in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Workneh Eshete, born in 1864 and died in 1952, is a notable figure in Ethiopian history. He was a diplomat, physician, and pioneer in modern education in Ethiopia, playing a significant role in his country's efforts to resist European colonialism.

Another notable figure is Workneh Gebeyehu, who was born in 1968. He has served as the Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs and has been involved in numerous international diplomatic efforts, significantly contributing to Ethiopia's foreign relations.

A significant figure from a slightly different era is Workneh Dejene, who made a name for himself in the Ethiopian legal field as a respected judge in the mid-20th century. His impartial and just rulings are still cited in Ethiopian legal circles today.

In the academic and literary fields, Workneh Tiruneh (born in mid-20th century) has made significant contributions, particularly in the fields of social sciences and Ethiopian history. His scholarly work has been pivotal in shaping contemporary understanding of Ethiopia's diverse cultural and historical landscape.

Lastly, Workneh Sabon (1930-1990) was a prominent economist known for his work with various international organizations, focusing on agricultural development and economic policies in East Africa. His research and contributions have had a lasting impact on economic strategies within the region.

Thus, the surname Workneh is deeply intertwined with Ethiopian history, culture, and language. Its bearers have notably contributed to the country's development across various fields, reflecting the rich legacy encapsulated in their name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Workneh

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

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

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

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