Exclusive surnames are those that exist only in Botswana and are not found in any other country in the world. They are unique cultural heritage, reflecting the linguistic, geographical or historical isolation of the region. This table shows the 100 most common exclusive surnames.
| # | Surname | Bearers | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gofaone | 1.506 | |
| 2 | Onalenna | 1.406 | |
| 3 | Dikeleko | 188 | |
| 4 | Zwinila | 132 | |
| 5 | Barolong | 88 | |
| 6 | Ramohibidu | 83 | |
| 7 | Phuluweni | 72 | |
| 8 | Moshagane | 61 | |
| 9 | Tshokologo | 50 | |
| 10 | Lenkokame | 44 | |
| 11 | Sudube | 33 | |
| 12 | Sebokonyane | 33 | |
| 13 | Nkokobocho | 33 | |
| 14 | Pholoso | 22 | |
| 15 | Baseyo | 17 | |
| 16 | Sephetso | 17 | |
| 17 | Engliton | 17 | |
| 18 | Madutela | 4 | |
| 19 | Goitana | 1 | |
| 20 | Munuer | 1 | |
| 21 | Bathowe | 1 | |
| 22 | Jortia | 1 | |
| 23 | Sgela | 1 | |
| 24 | Quistor | 1 |
FAQs
What are exclusive surnames in Botswana?
Exclusive surnames are those that exist only in Botswana and are not found in any other country in the world according to our official census data. The most common exclusive surname is Gofaone, with 1.506. registered bearers.
Why do exclusive surnames exist in Botswana?
Exclusive surnames typically arise from linguistic, geographical or historical isolation. They may also derive from local place names, traditional occupations or phonetic adaptations unique to the language and culture of Botswana.
Where does this data come from?
The data comes from official censuses and civil registries. A surname is considered exclusive when it appears in our records from only one country with verified bearers.
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