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

Amarasinghe, 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 Amarasinghe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Amarasinghe in America

Amarasinghe is the 109258th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Amarasinghe surname appeared 162 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 Amarasinghe.

The history of the last name Amarasinghe

The surname AMARASINGHE is of Sri Lankan origin, tracing its roots back to the Sinhalese language and culture. The name is believed to have originated around the 15th century, during the era of the Kingdom of Kandy in the central highlands of the island.

AMARASINGHE is a compound name, derived from the Sinhalese words "amara," meaning deathless or immortal, and "singhe," which translates to lion. This combination suggests a connection to royalty, bravery, and strength, as the lion has long been a symbol of power and sovereignty in Sri Lankan traditions.

Historical records indicate that the AMARASINGHE surname first appeared in ancient palm-leaf manuscripts and inscriptions from the Kandyan period. These documents often recorded the names of prominent families, nobles, and administrators who served under the Kandyan kings.

One of the earliest known references to the AMARASINGHE name can be found in the "Mahavamsa," a historical chronicle that details the lineage of Sri Lankan rulers and chronicles significant events from the 6th century BCE to the 18th century CE. The text mentions an individual named Amarasinghe Dissawa, who held a high-ranking position in the Kandyan court during the 16th century.

Throughout the centuries, the AMARASINGHE surname has been associated with several notable individuals. Amarasinghe Mudiyanselage Don Philip Amarasinghe (1825-1891) was a pioneering Sinhalese author and poet who played a crucial role in reviving and promoting Sinhalese literature during the British colonial period.

Another prominent figure was Amarasinghe Mudiyanselage Sirisena Amarasinghe (1920-1992), a renowned Sri Lankan novelist, short story writer, and playwright. His works, such as "Gal Pol Nohena" and "Gal Kedi Lokuwa," explored themes of rural life and social issues, earning him a place among Sri Lanka's literary greats.

In the realm of politics, Amarasinghe Mudiyansalage Sirisena Cooray (1932-2022) was a distinguished Sri Lankan politician who served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2000. He played a pivotal role in fostering peace negotiations during the country's civil war.

Another notable figure was Amarasinghe Kumarasiri (1928-2008), a respected Sri Lankan artist and sculptor. His works, which often incorporated traditional Sinhalese motifs and themes, are widely celebrated and can be found in numerous galleries and public spaces across the country.

The AMARASINGHE surname has also been associated with several place names in Sri Lanka, particularly in the central and southern regions of the island. These include villages and towns such as Amarasinghe Watte, Amarasinghe Palama, and Amarasinghe Gama, which likely derived their names from prominent local families or landowners bearing the AMARASINGHE surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Amarasinghe

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

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

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

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