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

Asrat, 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 Asrat surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Asrat in America

Asrat is the 77264th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Asrat surname appeared 248 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 Asrat.

We can also compare 2010 data for Asrat to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Asrat

The surname ASRAT originates from Ethiopia, with roots that can be traced back to the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Amharic language, which is one of the primary languages spoken in Ethiopia. The name is thought to be a compound word formed from the merger of two older Amharic words, "as" meaning "life" and "rat" meaning "journey" or "path."

ASRAT was initially prevalent among the Amhara people, an ethnic group native to the central and northern regions of Ethiopia. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient Ge'ez manuscripts and chronicles from the medieval era, which documented the lives and deeds of notable figures in Ethiopian history.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the surname ASRAT was Asrat Zewde, a renowned warrior and commander who lived during the reign of Emperor Zara Yaqob in the 15th century. Zewde played a pivotal role in defending the Kingdom of Ethiopia against invading forces and is celebrated for his bravery and strategic prowess on the battlefield.

In the 16th century, the name ASRAT appeared in the accounts of Portuguese missionaries and travelers who visited the ancient Ethiopian empire. One such record mentions an influential nobleman named Asrat Gonje, who held a prominent position in the court of Emperor Gelawdewos.

During the 19th century, the ASRAT surname gained further prominence with the rise of Asrat Tessema, a revered scholar and author who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Amharic literature and culture. Tessema's works, including his seminal book "Fetha Negast" (The Law of Kings), have become cornerstones of Ethiopian intellectual heritage.

Another notable figure bearing the ASRAT name was Asrat Wolde Amanuel, a pioneering educator and reformer who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wolde Amanuel played a crucial role in establishing modern educational institutions in Ethiopia and is revered for his efforts to promote literacy and progressive values.

In the 20th century, ASRAT continued to be a prominent surname in Ethiopian society, with individuals such as Asrat Desta, a renowned diplomat and ambassador who served as Ethiopia's permanent representative to the United Nations during the 1960s and 1970s.

While the ASRAT surname has deep historical roots in Ethiopia, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and cultural significance remain deeply intertwined with the rich history and traditions of the Ethiopian people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Asrat

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

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 Asrat 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Asrat has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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