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

Atay, 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 Atay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Atay in America

Atay is the 99378th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Atay surname appeared 182 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 Atay.

We can also compare 2010 data for Atay 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 Atay

The surname Atay is believed to have originated in Turkey, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the late 15th century. The name is derived from the Turkish word "ata," which means "ancestor" or "forefather." It is likely that the surname was initially given to individuals who were considered to be the patriarchs or elders of their respective communities or clans.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Atay surname was Mustafa Atay, a prominent Ottoman statesman and diplomat who lived in the 16th century. He served as the Grand Vizier, the highest-ranking political adviser to the Sultan, during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent.

Another notable figure with the Atay surname was Osman Atay, a Turkish writer and philosopher who lived from 1914 to 1977. He is renowned for his novel "Tutunamayanlar" (The Untouchables), which explored existential themes and the alienation of modern life.

In the 19th century, the Atay surname appeared in various Ottoman records and documents, particularly in regions like Anatolia and the Balkans, where Turkish communities had settled. One such record is the "Tahrir Defteri" (Tax Register), which listed the names of landowners and taxpayers during the Ottoman era.

During the early 20th century, the Atay surname gained prominence in the Republic of Turkey, with individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts. Halide Edib Atay (1884-1964) was a renowned Turkish novelist, activist, and scholar who played a significant role in the Turkish national movement and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.

Another noteworthy figure was Falih Rıfkı Atay (1894-1971), a Turkish writer, journalist, and politician who served as a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and held several important positions in the government.

While the Atay surname is most closely associated with Turkey and its historical roots, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the Turkish people, where it has been a part of their identity for centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Atay

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

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

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

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