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

Asmat, 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 Asmat surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Asmat in America

Asmat is the 126765th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Asmat surname appeared 135 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 Asmat.

The history of the last name Asmat

The surname ASMAT has its origins in the Austronesian ethnic group known as the Asmat people, indigenous to the southwestern coast of West Papua in the Indonesian province of Papua. The name derives from the word "asmat," which means "person" or "human being" in their native language.

The Asmat people have a rich cultural heritage dating back thousands of years, and their name has been documented in various historical records and manuscripts. One of the earliest written accounts of the Asmat people can be found in the journals of Dutch explorers and missionaries who visited the region in the 17th and 18th centuries.

While the surname ASMAT is most closely associated with the Asmat people of Papua, it has also been adopted by individuals from other ethnic groups who have lived in or near the Asmat region. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ASMAT can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when European explorers, anthropologists, and missionaries began documenting the cultures and peoples of the region.

One notable figure in the history of the ASMAT surname is Michael Rockefeller, the son of former U.S. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller. Michael Rockefeller disappeared in 1961 while on an expedition to study the Asmat people and their art. His disappearance and presumed death at the hands of the Asmat people brought international attention to the region and its indigenous inhabitants.

Another individual of historical significance with the surname ASMAT is Yohannes Yeni Asmat, a prominent Indonesian artist and sculptor from the Asmat people. Born in 1938, Yohannes Yeni Asmat played a significant role in preserving and promoting the traditional art and culture of his people through his intricate woodcarvings and sculptures.

Jacobus Asmat, an Asmat chief and leader in the early 20th century, is also noteworthy. He played a crucial role in facilitating peaceful interactions between the Asmat people and the Dutch colonial authorities, helping to bridge the cultural divide and promote mutual understanding.

Frans Kasmeer Asmat, born in 1942, was a pioneering Asmat anthropologist and author who dedicated his life to studying and documenting the rich cultural traditions and practices of his people. His works have been instrumental in preserving and sharing the Asmat heritage with the world.

Finally, Agustinus Mabel Asmat, born in 1963, is a contemporary Asmat artist and sculptor who has gained international recognition for his intricate and symbolic woodcarvings. His works have been exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums around the world, showcasing the enduring artistic legacy of the Asmat people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Asmat

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

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

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

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