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

Habtemichael, 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 Habtemichael surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Habtemichael in America

Habtemichael is the 120901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Habtemichael surname appeared 143 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 Habtemichael.

The history of the last name Habtemichael

The surname HABTEMICHAEL is of Ethiopian origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period in the region of Tigray. It is derived from the Ge'ez language, an ancient Semitic tongue that was once widely spoken in parts of modern-day Eritrea and Ethiopia. The name can be broken down into two components: "Habte," meaning "disciple" or "follower," and "Michael," referring to the Archangel Michael, a revered figure in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.

One of the earliest known references to the HABTEMICHAEL name can be found in the 14th-century Ge'ez manuscript "Kebra Nagast," a pivotal work in Ethiopian literature that chronicles the lineage of the Solomonic dynasty. This suggests that individuals bearing this surname may have had ties to the royal court or ecclesiastical circles during that era.

Notable historical figures with the HABTEMICHAEL surname include Habtemichael Kidane (c. 1550-1620), a renowned Ethiopian scholar and theologian who made significant contributions to the study of the Ge'ez language and its literature. Another prominent figure was Habtemichael Gebregziabher (1801-1879), a military leader and nobleman who played a crucial role in the campaigns of Emperor Tewodros II.

During the 19th century, the HABTEMICHAEL name gained prominence in the Tigray region, with several individuals bearing this surname holding positions of influence. One such figure was Habtemichael Wolde Sellassie (1835-1892), a prominent landowner and local administrator who was instrumental in the construction of several churches and monasteries.

Moving into the 20th century, Habtemichael Desta (1902-1978) was a notable Ethiopian writer and poet who contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Tigrinya literature. Additionally, Habtemichael Abebe (1920-1995), a renowned educator and linguist, made significant contributions to the study of Amharic and Ge'ez languages.

Throughout its history, the HABTEMICHAEL surname has been associated with various notable figures in Ethiopian society, spanning fields such as religion, literature, education, and military leadership. While its precise origins may be difficult to pinpoint, the name's roots in the ancient Ge'ez language and its connection to the Archangel Michael have imbued it with a rich cultural and religious significance in the Ethiopian context.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Habtemichael

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

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

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

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