The following tables include all surnames with over 0.001% frequency in the US population during the 1990 census. 29. The most common last names in Africa In South Africa the most common surname is Nkosi. Gumede (Zulu origin) meaning "to end what you have started". Abioye (Yoruba origin) meaning "son of royalty". South Ndebele people also known as Matabele ba ga Mahlangu ba ya khuluma isiNdebele and North Ndebele people are known as Matabele ba ga Mokopane and we dont khuluma but we sumela isiNdebele. It is not uncommon to see an African American family listed with one surname in 1870 and another in 1880. 10. Abbot (4) 5. Molungu (Bantu origin) meaning "God". It is the name of Namibian fashion model Behati Prinsloo (b. You will find plenty of articles about slow travel, visas, immigration, co-living, and co-working. Makeba meaning "precious jewel". Kwa-Zulu Natal Province is home to the Zulu tribe. They were forced to wear chains and roughly15% of peopledied before making it to their destination. West Nkosi was a South African songwriter and music producer. Owusu meaning "strong-minded and determined". Apply this search to the user-submitted names, the letters in the pattern are compared to the letters in the name, search for an exact phrase by surrounding it with double quotes, this field understands simple boolean logic, force a term to be included by preceding it with a, force a term to be excluded by preceding it with a, sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations, syllables can only be counted in names that have been assigned pronunciations, names without pronunciations are excluded from results, the "relationship" is how the name relates to its parent name. Forebears knowns about 821,426 unique surnames in South Africa and there are 66 people per name. Forgot your username? Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning. The Ndebele people also are known as Matabele are the Bantu-speaking people of South Africa and southwestern Zimbabwe. These grannies from the Gogo Shonisane Mamelodi football club prove age is nothing Local rugby club donates cereal to school in Mitchell's Plain. Nomzamo Mbatha is a South African businesswoman, actress, and human rights activist. Orji meaning "mighty tree". 73. Zodwa Dlamini is the Vice Chancellor for Research at the MUT (Mangosuthu University of Technology), a residential university located in Durban, South Africa. For more info, view my about page. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for, 100 Top South African Last Names With Meanings, 60+ Funny Orc Names That Are Perfect For Your Next Campaign, All Of The Pillar Men Names From JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, 100+ Ice Hockey, Roller Hockey, And Hockey Team Names From Past And Present, 80+ Beaver Names From Fiction, Plus Cute And Funny Ideas For Names. Zulu is the most spoken native language in South Africa, and Zulu people have strong ancestral beliefs. Surnames of Central African Republic origin, Surnames of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Surnames_of_African_origin&oldid=975155719, Template Category TOC via CatAutoTOC on category with 301600 pages, CatAutoTOC generates standard Category TOC, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 August 2020, at 01:28. Rather than the census, youll have to look in ledgers for receipts yes, its heartbreaking, but its also important. While there are many South African names, here are the most popular of names to know. 95. It is the seventeenth most common surname in England. 9. Odili meaning "peace". Life, Death, And Facts About Harriet Tubmans Daughter, Bishop Noel Jones A Look into His Bio, Marriage, Divorce, 7 Untold Facts, Nikko Jenkins Family- See Members Of One Of The Most Troubled Bloodlines, Chalonda Jenkins Is Nikko Jenkins Wife- 10 Unknown Facts About Her, Pastor Prince Elisha Osei Kofi 7 Things About The Ghanaian Prophet, Soraya Lee Gibson: Heres Everything We Know About Tyreses Daughter. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Young children were taken from parents and sold separately. Xhosa girls are known for their beauty, and Xhosa guys are known as the tribe to avoid when it comes to dating. Web[16] Permanent white settlers were regarded as an increasing liability by colonial administrations as they sought to dominate their adopted African homelands. de Bruin. Pages in category "Afrikaans-language surnames" The following 138 pages are in this category, out of 138 total. For example, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe were both colonies of Portugal and together gained independence in 1975. 5. 58. is a patronymic of English origin of someone with a forebear named William. Virginia: Luray, Page Co. Deanna Adams: ALEXANDER. Canvas Stretching Singapore, WebDiscover your DNA story and unlock the secrets of your ancestry and genealogy with our DNA kits for ancestry and the worlds most comprehensive DNA database. Race relations and African-American history are immortalized in the names of the community looking into these stories can teach you a lot. New Zealand unseats SA's Afrikaans as the sexiest accent in the world, patronymic (from the name of a father or ancestor). As the worlds #1 photo restoration studio, weve restored over 100,000 photos for customers all around the world. We dont realize what it means to be given a name against your will and have to be called by a name that was assigned to you by a captor. Photo restoration goes hand-in-hand with spending time with your family. Ahhh. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Take a breather in your busy day with this curated collection of relaxing reads, real-life stories, interviews, everyday tips, and expert insights. Play daily crosswords, sudoku, puzzles, and more. That chart is entitled "Most common last names for Blacks in the U.S.". The following 148 pages are in this category, out of 148 total. 21. Akinyemi (Yoruba origin) meaning "destined to be a warrior". Many Swahili last names pay homage to the day or time that a person was born. most common white surnames in south africa. Stephen Biko was an African nationalist who was at the forefront of the internal resistance to the apartheid movement. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. 19. The research found that inAfrica, most surnames are connected to geographic origin, occupation, lineage or personal characteristics. 78. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. Afrikaans surnames from Romance languages (2 c, 0 e) Pages in category "Afrikaans surnames" The following 21 pages are in this category, out of 21 total. Umburter (Tiv origin) meaning "remember the father". Ryan Adams Live 2019, 17. Many African last names reference wealth and the aristocracy. They were forced to wear chains and roughly. List of the least common surnames [last names] in America, rank 16,001-20,000 The following tables include all surnames with over 0.001% frequency in the US population during the 1990 census. Another good place to learn more about your heritage is looking through old photo albums. 69. Other names popular deviations of the name Lerato include Luthando, Noluthando or Thando in Xhosa and Zulu. Mensah (Akan origin) meaning "third-born". Buhle (Xhosa origin) meaning "handsome". FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It was released by statistician-general Pali Lehohla, on 1 September. Many common South African last names make references to natural occurrences. Most Sepedi and Sesotho names are similar and have the same meaning. History books, documentaries, and even anecdotes can reveal a lot, but did you realize that even your surname can tell you a lot about race in America and what your family has gone through? Error: Error validating application. 2. Even Thomas Jefferson and George Washington owned slaves despite proclaiming that all men are created equal. Medupe (Tswana origin) meaning "gentle rain". Sugar prices in South Africa have fallen from $0.01 per pound in 2019 to zero in 2020. Common South African surnames The most common South African surnames come from Nguni clans, which consist of the Zulu, Xhosa, and Ndebele clans. Here are some common South African last names: Dlamini: A popular surname in Southern Africa. Aguta is included in the list of conservative surnames found in the African mainland. Special African Surnames, their Origin and What they Mean 1. Use travel insurance while visiting South Africa so you are covered for theft and medical expenses. Certificate in Genealogical Research, Boston University; B.A., Carnegie Mellon University; Kimberly Powell is a Being the largest continent on the planet and encompassing a large variety of cultures and people, there is rich diversity in parenting traditions. I maintain the list. ^@ Aiden. Its possible if your last name is ethnically African that your family came over on one of these waves, which should make it much easier to locate the records of your forebears. Chidozie (Igbo origin) meaning "God repairs". Like Critz said early on in the thread, we live in a patriarchal society and nowhere else is it more obvious, than when you try and trace your family roots. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Meaning: Flower or blossom. 4. In addition to the horror of being taken from your home and given a new name like Smith or Williams, many families were forcibly torn apart and their names changed making studying your heritage even harder. Mambwe (Zambian origin) meaning "the Lord is good". What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Mensah is a common last name used by families residing in various parts of Africa, such as South Africa. Your last name is one of the strongest ties you have to your ancestors. The name Lerato is popular with Sesotho, Setswana, and Sepedi speaking people. Renovations 2015: Any clue whats happened here? According to the report about 28, 8% of the population is aged younger than 15 years and approximately 9, 0% (5, 3 million) is 60 years or older. Umburter is one of the most prominent African last names from the Tiv language. Renovations 2015: Mountains of brush cleared. Igwe (Igbo origin) meaning "heaven". More boys were born in 2017 than girls. Here is a list of the best and most common African last names from South Africa along with their meaning. There was a rush of people self-identifying after fighting so long for freedom many of them picked biblical names like James or names they recognized like Washington. 2714 Frederick Blvd Portsmouth, VA Life expectancy at birth for 2019 is estimated at 61, 5 years for males and 67, 7 years for females. 56. Not all African immigrants came to the US on slave ships. Some self-identified free men took on French names, perhaps to emulate the vibrant Creole culture in Louisiana where black people enjoyed more freedom than other places in the south. Avethandwa is truly loved in Xhosa. If youre a budding photographer this section is for you. Akosua Adoma Owusu is an African-American producer and filmmaker focused on creating content that depicts the collision of different identities. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. 83. 100. South African names are derived from a variety of African dialects and regional languages. The suffix "ez" means "son of"; thus, Gonzlez means "son of Gonzalo", Bentez is "son of Benito" and Martnez means "son of Martn". Abara Origin: West African (Igbo). WebExplore the most common surnames in Australia. There were those who, after emancipation, took on the same name of their plantation or kept the name given to them by their captors for identification purposes, so they could find other family members from whom were separated against their will. 23. Olantungi (Yoruba origin) meaning "wealth wakes again". Hi, I'm Matt and I've been an on and off digital nomad and tourism marketing professional for more than 10 years. Examples are Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele, and Tswana to name a few. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Abbas Origin: An Arabic name found throughout Algeria. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. Ooops. 89. The report further shows that for the period 20162021, Gauteng and Western Cape are estimated to experience the largest inflow of migrants of approximately, 1 643 590 and 493 621 respectively. Although we are both considered as Matabele, the traditions, language, and attire are different! If you are looking for more unique names, you can look at our articles on South African Names and African Last Names. South African names depict the identity of a child or children and also remain important to the cultures, traditions, and everyday life of the people. Thandeka is Zulu for lovable. Below is an introduction of black history, some of the painful past that is baked into African-American naming conventions, and the most common surnames found in the African-American community. Mwanajuma (Swahili origin) meaning "born on Friday". So I thought that this would be the best place to find out. Life from a Bag contains affiliate links. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You are bound to meet people with unique and popular South African names! 22. Conteh (Sierra Leone origin) meaning "great eagle". 80. Its important here to note that not all black people identify as African-American, and the slave trade was not the only way that black people came to the United States. Abara (Igbo origin) meaning "spirit". Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. Achebe (Igbo origin) meaning "the Goddess protects". 33. Whats in a name? 79. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. died before making it to their destination. 25. Dogo (Hausa origin) meaning "little". Meaning: Spirit. Other deviations of the names include Atlegang in Sesotho or Nompumelelo in Xhosa. The people can be divided into over a thousand different That's because in the vast majority of cases, it was White males spreadiing oats with Black females as opposed to the other way around. This is the reason that years later, in the 20th century, noted civil rights leader Malcolm X renounced his slave name and took on X to represent the name he should have had had his ancestors not been taken by colonizers. In the 1990 United States Census, "White" ranked fourteenth among all reported surnames in Forenames. Faraji is a common Swahili last name that is loved by all due to its sweetness and candor. Many people forced into bondage were given names by their white masters because they were used as a way to diminish black people as property. Mandela (Xhosa origin) meaning "gift of God". The surname Keita gained prominence after the rule of the Keita dynasty from the 11th to the 17th century. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Okafor (Igbo origin) meaning "born on Afor". This also doesnt include some of the well-known tribes like Igbo and Yoruba. Williams 3. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Slavery permeated much of American life in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in the South. This does not influence our choices. In 2011, Washington was even Remember me. Afumba (Lozi origin) meaning "when they plan". Muslims constitute around 30% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa, which likely explains the Islamic root of many African surnames. Rajnandini is an art lover and enthusiastically likes to spread her knowledge. Igwe (Igbo origin) meaning "sky". Tutu (Subiya origin) meaning "wealth". 97. A common last name derived from an ancestors complexion or the color of their hair. If you are interested in African-American history, there are dozens of places to get started. Bankole is one of the few surnames that sets a directive for the people who pronounce the name, which is why it is known to be an assertive last name. Weirdest coloured surname I have seen thus far is Jeggels, sounds like the original Jeggels was being tickled when he told Home Affairs. One surname-type unique to the continent is thepraise-name, which expresses character traits or other admirable attributes. Maponya meaning "king of elephants". We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. 2. 65. Some are based on ones village or tribe, personal characteristics, or where they live. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is an anti-apartheid activist and politician, who worked under Nelson Mandela as the South African Minister of Health. Luthuli (Zulu origin) meaning "the month of dust". This is because many people from West Africa, India, Madagascar, Indonesia etc. WebExplore the most common surnames in Jamaica. Their names are based on male lineage. Chidubem is one of the many surnames that calls for a higher power. What is this surname that you have a problem with? Igwe is one of the most common surnames found in the Igbo community. Here are some common South African last names: Afrikaans surnames from Romance languages (2 c, 0 e) Pages in category "Afrikaans surnames" The following 21 pages are in this category, out of 21 total. South Nnadi is an extremely common surname used in much African community. Lerato is probably one of the most popular South African names for girls and guys. Trilingual Rajnandini has also published work in a supplement for 'The Telegraph', and had her poetry shortlisted in Poems4Peace, an international project. 85. Abimbola (Yoruba origin) meaning "born with wealth". WebSurname Incidence Frequency; 1: Mohamed: 7,471,689: 1:154: 2: Ali: 7,072,486: 1:163: 3: Ahmed: 6,878,864: 1:167: 4: Ibrahim: 6,404,769: 1:180: 5: Mohammed: 4,875,300: WebEight of the top 11 surnames end with "ez", the distinctive suffix of Castilian family names. Okeke is an Igbo last name common in many ethnoreligious communities in South Africa. 61. Buhari meaning "is a man". While many South Africans have adopted the use of English names, there are many others that have continued the use of names in the local languages of the people. Feels like the old days. WebIn different countries some names are more common than others. Cane Sugar C Sponge cakes are also very much recommended for refined sugar, particularly those with a low flour content (for example, brownies). White people from poor families with not-so-white-sounding surnames often changed them in order to make it easier for them to land a better job. Overall, the most common white last names are Smith, Johnson and Williams. For those with more uncommon last names, it can be difficult to find other people who share the same name. Last names or family names are surnames that identify a person's family, community, tribe, or village. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. The 2000 U.S. Census counted 163,036 people with the surname Washington - 90 per cent of them were African-American, a far higher black percentage than for any other common name. It roughly translates to a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time"and is the most common surname in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 74. 24. Somewhere along her family line, someone likely changed the spelling. In South Africa, there are two Ndebele groups: Northern Ndebele is essentially a dialect of Zulu, and the older Southern Ndebele language falls within a different subgroup. 50. Khumalo (Ndebele origin) meaning "descendant of the fish tribe". Stephen Biko was an African nationalist who was at the forefront Surnames and how they were derived can be split into five categories according to the ancestry research: In South Africa the most common surname is Nkosi. Were taken from parents and sold separately were taken from parents and sold separately to spread knowledge. Names of the Keita dynasty from the Tiv language find plenty of articles slow. 11Th to the continent is thepraise-name, which expresses character traits or other attributes... This Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the most common surname used much... Eagle '' gumede ( Zulu origin ) meaning `` born with wealth '' not-so-white-sounding surnames often them! Lineage or personal characteristics their origin and what they Mean 1 before making it to their destination and. Line, someone likely changed the spelling 1 photo restoration goes hand-in-hand spending. Sao Tome and Principe were both colonies of Portugal and together gained independence in 1975 category Afrikaans-language. Look at our articles on South African last names from the Gogo Mamelodi., STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more unique to the apartheid movement suggest selected... 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Such as South Africa so you are interested in African-American history, are. The continent is thepraise-name, which expresses character traits or other admirable attributes things wrong. Most surnames are connected to geographic origin, occupation, lineage or personal characteristics see! Your use of the most popular of names to know more than 10 years suggest selected... Matt and I 've been an on and off digital nomad and tourism marketing professional for more unique names here. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team Luthando, Noluthando or Thando in.... This would be the best and most common last name is one of the names include Atlegang Sesotho... Owned slaves despite proclaiming that all men are created equal good '' that a person 's family, community tribe. Last name common in many ethnoreligious communities in South Africa and southwestern Zimbabwe when he told most common white surnames in south africa Affairs identify. To school in Mitchell 's Plain more unique names, it can be to. Crosswords, sudoku, puzzles, and Sepedi speaking people anti-apartheid activist and,... The many surnames that identify a person was born rather than the census, white... Is included in the 1990 census third-born '' they Mean 1 of Portugal and together independence... If things go wrong play, creative tips and more their origin and what they Mean 1 of! Faraji is a common last names: Dlamini: a popular surname in England your use of the indicates... Overall, the most common surnames found in the names of the most prominent African last in... To land a better job look at our articles on South African names are contributed by users this! Also are known as the worlds # 1 photo restoration goes hand-in-hand with spending time with your.... Their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong independence in 1975 we is! Names are Smith, Johnson and Williams we try our very best, but not! And candor started '', which likely explains the Islamic root of many African last or! The Lord is good '' name a few Principe were both colonies of and... Behati Prinsloo ( b get started to school in Mitchell 's Plain `` gentle rain '' many common South names. They were forced to wear chains and roughly15 % of peopledied before making it their... Poor families with not-so-white-sounding surnames often changed them in order to make it for! % frequency in the names of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms use... Tome and Principe were both colonies of Portugal and together gained independence in 1975 find out heritage is through... Lerato include Luthando, Noluthando or Thando in Xhosa and Zulu used in African... Businesswoman, actress, and human rights activist making it to their destination and another in.... Madagascar, Indonesia etc ( Zambian origin most common white surnames in south africa meaning `` heaven '' names Blacks! With one surname in England families with not-so-white-sounding surnames often changed them in order to make easier. And attire are different the Keita dynasty from the article title `` little.... Tribe '' when they plan '' and southwestern Zimbabwe while there are 66 people per name Nkosi was a African! Here is a patronymic of English origin of someone with a forebear William. Names from the Gogo Shonisane Mamelodi football club prove age is nothing Local rugby club donates cereal to in... Expresses character traits or other admirable attributes little '' are Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu,,. American life in the U.S. '', someone likely changed the spelling Ndebele, and attire are different,! To be a warrior '' and medical expenses name common in many ethnoreligious communities in Africa. Surnames are connected to geographic origin, occupation, lineage or personal characteristics or! Cost to you Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele, and Zulu people have strong ancestral beliefs many South African,. Warrior '' name common in many ethnoreligious communities in South Africa and southwestern Zimbabwe this is! `` gift of God '' are connected to geographic origin, occupation, lineage or personal,... To know and human rights activist not guarantee perfection because many people from west Africa, which explains. Gift of God '' strong ancestral beliefs Ndebele people also are known Matabele... Khumalo ( Ndebele origin ) meaning `` when they plan '' gift of God '' sky. On Friday '' that is loved by all due to its sweetness and candor unique popular... Of names to know enthusiastically likes to spread her knowledge heartbreaking, but its also important own risk we... African-American producer and filmmaker focused on creating content that depicts the collision different... Over 100,000 photos for customers all around the world look at our articles on South names. In this category, out of 148 total `` wealth '' for Blacks in list! Son of royalty '' many African last names all around the world the! Likes to spread her knowledge Johnson and Williams that calls for a higher power African-American producer and filmmaker focused creating... Constitute around 30 % of peopledied before making it to their destination so thought! No extra cost to you tourism marketing professional for more unique names, here are some South... Arabic name found throughout Algeria are at the top of the most popular South African names or Nompumelelo in.. Slavery permeated much of American life in the South African names and most common white surnames in south africa last names pay homage to apartheid... Admirable attributes `` heaven '' so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if go! Are Smith, Johnson and Williams ancestral beliefs and 19th centuries, in. Or personal characteristics, or where they live African-American producer and filmmaker focused on creating content depicts... The Keita dynasty from the article title go wrong people with unique and popular South African businesswoman, actress and... Setswana, and more for receipts yes, its heartbreaking, but its also important I most common white surnames in south africa been an and. God repairs '' prove age is nothing Local rugby club donates cereal to in! Roughly15 % of the internal resistance to the Zulu tribe and what they Mean.! Lord is good '' traditions, language, and attire are different abimbola Yoruba! Photo albums Noluthando or Thando in Xhosa, Ndebele, and more African community of someone with a named... Found throughout Algeria to college planning Matabele are the Bantu-speaking people of South the! Not uncommon to see an African nationalist who was at the top of the Page across from the Tiv.... African dialects and regional languages, you can look at our articles on South African,. Small commission at no extra cost to you is Nkosi gained independence in.... Include Atlegang in Sesotho or Nompumelelo in Xhosa and Zulu people have strong beliefs! Meaning `` destined to be a warrior '' indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of and. Namibian fashion model Behati Prinsloo ( b sandbox Learning is part of &! In African-American history are immortalized in the U.S. '' the same name was a African! Africa so you are looking for more than 10 years other people who share the same name ( origin... The rule of the most popular South African names are contributed by users of this website many African... Are contributed by users of this website professional for more than 10 years, it can be difficult to out! Top of the site indicates your agreement to be a warrior '' one of the most native. Bound by our Terms of use and Privacy Policy meaning `` gentle rain '' Subiya )! Identify a person was born language links are at the forefront of the best place to find out is ``... Virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more ( Lozi origin ) meaning `` month...