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

Kamai, 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 Kamai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kamai in America

Kamai is the 46568th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kamai surname appeared 457 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 Kamai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kamai 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 Kamai

The surname Kamai is believed to have originated in Japan, tracing its roots back to the late 16th or early 17th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Japanese word "kamai," which means "divine protection" or "spiritual guidance." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who were believed to possess spiritual or religious significance.

One of the earliest documented instances of the Kamai surname can be found in the historical records of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the last feudal military government of Japan, which ruled from the early 17th century until the mid-19th century. During this period, the Kamai family is mentioned in various official documents and ledgers, indicating their presence and involvement in various aspects of society.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Kamai Toshitsugu (1718-1804) emerged as a renowned scholar and advisor to the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was widely respected for his expertise in Confucian philosophy and his contributions to the intellectual discourse of the era. Kamai Toshitsugu's legacy as a prominent intellectual and advisor to the ruling class likely contributed to the prestige and recognition of the Kamai surname during that time.

Another notable individual bearing the Kamai surname was Kamai Hiroyuki (1821-1899), a samurai and military strategist who played a crucial role in the Boshin War, a conflict that marked the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration in Japan. Kamai Hiroyuki's tactical acumen and leadership during this pivotal period in Japanese history have solidified his place in the annals of the Kamai family.

In the realm of arts and culture, the name Kamai Tokuaki (1807-1868) stands out as a prominent Noh performer and teacher. Noh is a traditional form of Japanese theater known for its highly stylized performances and intricate movements. Kamai Tokuaki's contributions to the preservation and promotion of this ancient art form have earned him a lasting legacy within the Kamai lineage.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Kamai name was also associated with several prominent merchant families in various regions of Japan. These merchant families played a significant role in the economic and commercial activities of their respective communities, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the regions they inhabited.

While the surname Kamai may have originated in Japan, it is important to note that over the centuries, individuals bearing this name have likely migrated to other parts of the world, carrying their cultural and familial heritage with them. However, the historical records and references mentioned above provide valuable insights into the origins and significance of the Kamai surname within the context of Japanese history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kamai

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

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

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

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