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

Dissanayake, 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 Dissanayake surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dissanayake in America

Dissanayake is the 91625th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dissanayake surname appeared 201 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 Dissanayake.

The history of the last name Dissanayake

The surname Dissanayake originates from Sri Lanka, an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. It has its roots in the ancient Sinhala language, one of the official languages of Sri Lanka, which has a rich history dating back to the 6th century BCE.

The name Dissanayake is derived from the Sinhala words "disa" meaning "direction" and "nayaka" meaning "leader" or "guide." Thus, the name translates to "one who leads or guides in the right direction," suggesting that the original bearers of this surname may have held positions of authority or leadership in their communities.

Historical records indicate that the Dissanayake surname has been prevalent among the Sinhala people for centuries. It is mentioned in several ancient manuscripts and chronicles, such as the Mahavamsa, a historical poem that dates back to the 5th century CE, which chronicles the history of Sri Lanka and its ruling dynasties.

One of the earliest documented individuals bearing the Dissanayake surname was Rajakaruna Dissanayake, a prominent military commander who lived in the 16th century during the reign of King Bhuvanaikabahu VII. He played a pivotal role in defending the kingdom against foreign invaders.

Another notable figure was Muhandiram Dissanayake, a chief minister and advisor to the Kandyan Kingdom in the 18th century. He was highly respected for his wisdom and counsel, and his name is recorded in various historical accounts of the time.

In the 19th century, Andiris Dissanayake, a celebrated scholar and poet, gained recognition for his contributions to Sinhala literature. His works, which include religious texts and poetry, are still studied and appreciated today.

During the British colonial period in Sri Lanka, Mudiyanse Dissanayake was a prominent landowner and community leader who advocated for the rights of the Sinhala people. He played a significant role in preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of his people.

In more recent times, Gamini Dissanayake (1942-1994) was a prominent Sri Lankan politician and leader of the United National Party. He served as the Minister of Land Development and later as the Minister of Mahaweli Development before his untimely assassination in 1994.

The surname Dissanayake has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout Sri Lanka's history, including leaders, scholars, poets, and community figures. It remains a prominent surname in the country today, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and linguistic roots of the Sinhala people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dissanayake

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

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

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

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