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

Hamanaka, 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 Hamanaka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hamanaka in America

Hamanaka is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hamanaka surname appeared 101 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 Hamanaka.

The history of the last name Hamanaka

The surname HAMANAKA is of Japanese origin, dating back several centuries. It is believed to have originated in the Kyushu region of Japan, specifically in the area around present-day Fukuoka Prefecture. The name itself is composed of two Japanese words: "hama" meaning "beach" or "shore," and "naka" meaning "middle" or "center."

One of the earliest known references to the HAMANAKA name can be found in historical records from the Muromachi period (1336-1573). During this time, the name appears in various manuscripts and documents associated with samurai families and landowners in the Kyushu region. It is thought that the name may have initially been used to denote a residence or estate located between two bodies of water or situated along a coastal area.

In the 16th century, records show a HAMANAKA family residing in the village of Hamanaka, located in what is now Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture. This village was likely named after the HAMANAKA clan, further solidifying their connection to the area. Several prominent members of the HAMANAKA family served as local officials and administrators during this period.

One notable figure with the HAMANAKA surname was Hamanaka Katsunori (1547-1618), a samurai warrior who fought alongside the famous Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period. Hamanaka Katsunori was awarded lands in the Chikugo region (present-day Fukuoka and Saga Prefectures) for his loyalty and bravery on the battlefield.

Another historical figure bearing the HAMANAKA name was Hamanaka Gensaku (1723-1789), a celebrated scholar and poet from the Edo period. Hamanaka Gensaku was known for his expertise in classical Japanese literature and his contributions to the haikai (haiku) poetry tradition.

In the late 19th century, Hamanaka Tetsuzo (1823-1884) gained prominence as a successful businessman and industrialist. He played a significant role in the development of the coal mining industry in Kyushu, establishing several mining operations in the region.

Throughout the centuries, the HAMANAKA surname has been associated with various prominent individuals, from samurai warriors to scholars and entrepreneurs. While the name's origins can be traced back to the coastal regions of Kyushu, it has since spread across Japan and can be found in various parts of the country today.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hamanaka

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

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

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

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