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

Kahsay, 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 Kahsay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kahsay in America

Kahsay is the 62045th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kahsay surname appeared 323 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 Kahsay.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kahsay 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 Kahsay

The surname Kahsay has its origins in the Ethiopian region of Tigray, dating back to the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Ge'ez word "ኵሕሳይ" (kuhsay), which translates to "the one who is brave" or "courageous." This suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who displayed exceptional bravery or valor in battle or other significant endeavors.

During the medieval period, the name Kahsay appeared in several historical records and manuscripts documenting the lives of notable figures in the region. One such reference can be found in the 15th-century chronicle "Ge'ez Hagiographies," which mentions a warrior named Kahsay who fought valiantly against invading forces.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Kahsay dates back to the 16th century, with a nobleman named Kahsay Gebremichael (c. 1530-1598) who served as a trusted advisor to Emperor Gelawdewos. He played a crucial role in defending the kingdom against Ottoman incursions and is celebrated for his military prowess and strategic acumen.

In the 17th century, the name gained prominence through the exploits of Kahsay Habtemariam (c. 1620-1692), a renowned scholar and religious leader who authored several influential theological texts. His works were widely studied and helped shape the intellectual discourse of the time.

Another notable figure bearing the surname was Kahsay Wolde (1795-1868), a skilled diplomat who negotiated important treaties and trade agreements with neighboring kingdoms. His efforts contributed to the establishment of strong alliances and economic partnerships that benefited the region.

The Kahsay surname was also associated with the ancient town of Adwa, located in Tigray. The name Kahsay Adwa was often used to refer to individuals hailing from this historic settlement, which played a pivotal role in the decisive Battle of Adwa against Italian forces in 1896.

Lastly, the 19th century saw the rise of Kahsay Mersha (1830-1902), a celebrated poet and storyteller whose works captured the rich cultural heritage and oral traditions of the Tigray people. His poetic compositions were widely recited and passed down through generations, preserving the region's literary legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kahsay

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

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

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

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