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

Yamoah, 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 Yamoah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yamoah in America

Yamoah is the 115034th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yamoah surname appeared 152 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 Yamoah.

The history of the last name Yamoah

The surname Yamoah has its origins in Western Africa, particularly within Ghana. The name is most commonly associated with the Akan people, a major ethnic group in the region. Akan traditions and naming practices have existed for centuries, making it challenging to pinpoint an exact time period for the emergence of the surname. The name Yamoah is derived from the Akan language, likely originating from words that conveyed leadership, strength, or certain attributes admired within the community.

In terms of historical references, unlike European surnames documented in medieval manuscripts such as the Domesday Book, African surnames like Yamoah may not have been recorded in written form until more recent centuries due to the oral tradition of many African cultures.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Yamoah in historical records date back to the colonial period when European missionaries and colonizers began documenting local names. One such early record includes a registrar entry from a Christian mission in the late 19th century, which mentioned a local chief named Kwabena Yamoah, born in 1854 and known for his leadership in the Ashanti region.

Kofi Yamoah, a prominent figure born in 1938, was one of the early female educators and advocates for women's rights in post-colonial Ghana. Her dedication to education and the empowerment of women left a mark on the emerging nation.

Yaw Yamoah, born in 1911, served as an influential member of the Ghanaian independence movement. He collaborated with key figures like Kwame Nkrumah and was instrumental in organizing events and rallies during the struggle for independence in the 1950s.

Kwame Yamoah, a notable figure in Ghanaian politics during the 1960s and 1970s, served in various ministerial roles and contributed to the development of infrastructure and education systems within Ghana post-independence.

Nana Ama Yamoah, born in 1955, is recognized for her work in African literature and cultural studies. Her academic contributions and numerous publications on Akan traditions have provided invaluable insights into the heritage and history of the Akan people.

In sum, the surname Yamoah carries a rich heritage tied to leadership, education, and cultural advocacy within Ghana. The name has been borne by several influential individuals throughout history, each contributing to their communities and the nation in various impactful ways.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yamoah

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

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

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

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