Songao is likely an indigenous name from the Mariana Islands. The name is recorded as early as the 1727 Census of the Mariana Islands.
Unfortunately, I do not know what it means; however, there appear to be a variation of forms (at least similarities) of it within the two primary census periods of the 1700’s: Songao, Sungao, Sugaota, Suñgaolaian, Sungaofino. For some of the challenges and background of native names see my previous article:
I would certainly like to know what the word “songao,” refer to; and, as always, I welcome the collaborative discussion on its meaning and family history. Some unconfirmed information I recently received indicates that some members of the Songao family claim to be descendants of Fo’na (Fu’una) and Pontan (Puntan). I would love to hear from those who may know something about that.
Below is a summary of where I have found the Songao surname recorded in Spanish Census records:
1727 Census
1. Pedro Songao, unmarried male, Agat, Guam
2. Francisco Songao, boy, Agat, Guam
3. Fernando Songao, married, Mongmong, Guam
4. Juan Songan, boy, Miune, Rota
1758 Census
1. Francisco Sungao, married to Maria Egege, Agat, Guam. This Francisco is likely the same person recorded in 1727 as a boy living in Agat. Francisco and Maria had three children:
Francisco de Borja
Luis Queforge
Maria Lumen Godongña
2. Juan Songao, married to Teresa Tia, Sosamhaia (Sosanhåya), Rota. This Juan is likely the same person as Juan Songan recorded in 1727 as boy living in Rota. Juan and Teresa had had three children:
Miguel Taguiña
Juan Mariano Domingo
Rosa Elena Tia
3. Dimas Sungaota, listed as an orphan, Agat, Guam
4. Francisco Suñgaolaian, widower, Agat, Guam. He had a son living with him:
Francisco Tupacña
5. Cipriano Sugaota, mother is Ursula Maadi, Agat, Guam and his brother was Felix Taitiguir
6. Francisco Sungaofino, parents are Francisco Yngin and Juana Ago, Pago, Guam
1897 Census
In the 1897 Census there were 17 people (17) recorded with the Songao surname all from Rota. It appears at this time point, the Songao family surname was well rooted and found only in the island of Rota.
Bibliography
____. 1897. Padron de Almas: Año de 1897. Spanish Colonial Government Records, Mariana Islands 1678-1899, found in the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Rodrigue Levesque. 2000a. History of Micronesia: Volume 13 — Failure at Ulithi Atoll, 1727-1746. Levesque Publications: Quebec, Canada
Rodrigue Levesque. 2000b. History of Micronesia: Volume 14 – Full Census of the Marianas, 1746-1773. Levesque Publications: Quebec, Canada
