I - The history of the Touré
In the 13th century, the Touré (along with the Cissé and Bérété) were among the families to introduce Islam to Manding.
Renowned for being great conquerors, they will be at the head of two great states which prospered during the 18th and 19th centuries. The first state is Kabadougou with Vakaba Touré at its head, he ruled a kingdom which stretched from the north of what is now the Ivory Coast to Upper Guinea. The second state is the kingdom of Wassoulou (which will annex the previous one), it was managed by Almamy Samory Touré, formidable strategist, he manages to conquer in no time the city of Kankan, the Baté empire, Kabadougou and of the many regions located in present-day Sierra Leone, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire. At the end of the 1860s, its territory consisted of approximately two million inhabitants over 400,000 km2 and it controlled the trade routes for cola and gold.
From 1880 until his death, Samory had to face the French colonial army, which he fought on several occasions, winning a notable victory at the Battle of Woyo-Wayankô, on April 2, 1882.
However, Samory had to resolve to gradually cede his territory to the French, between 1886 and 1889. The defeat of Babemba Traoré's army, also resistant against the colonial army, during the fall of Sikasso, led the French to concentrate their forces against those of Samory. On September 29, 1898, he surrendered and was exiled in Gabon. This date marks the end of the Wassoulou Empire.
II - Meaning of the name
The surname Touré seems to correspond to the soninké word "tuure" which means elephant, an animal which was highly appreciated by the Soninké people, at the time of king Kaya Magan Cissé, the close guard of the king was called tuure in reference to the elephants which represents the strength, power and intelligence, the people also designated them under this name that they will keep as a name over time.
The Touré and the Samaké are from the same family.
Note that in English-speaking countries (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gambia ...) the surname Touré is written Turay or Turé.