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

Kanawati, 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 Kanawati surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kanawati in America

Kanawati is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kanawati surname appeared 109 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 Kanawati.

The history of the last name Kanawati

The surname KANAWATI has its origins tracing back to the Middle East, specifically Lebanon. It is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "Kanawat," which translates to "small village" or "hamlet." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals residing in rural settlements or small towns within the region.

During the medieval period, the KANAWATI name appeared in various historical records and manuscripts documenting the inhabitants of the Levantine region. One notable mention can be found in the chronicles of a 13th-century Arab scholar, who referred to a family bearing this surname residing in the outskirts of Beirut.

The earliest recorded instance of the KANAWATI name dates back to the 16th century, when it was mentioned in a Ottoman tax register documenting landowners and residents in the area surrounding the city of Tripoli, Lebanon. This record provides valuable insight into the geographic distribution of the name during that era.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Yusuf KANAWATI gained recognition as a skilled craftsman and merchant in the city of Sidon. His legacy and business ventures contributed to the spread of the KANAWATI name within the local community.

Another notable individual was Khalil KANAWATI, a 19th-century scholar and poet from Zahle, Lebanon. His literary works and contributions to the Arabic literary scene have left a lasting impact on the cultural heritage of the region.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the KANAWATI name became more widespread as members of the family migrated to various parts of the world, including North and South America, Europe, and Australia, seeking new opportunities.

One such individual was Ibrahim KANAWATI, who emigrated from Lebanon to Brazil in the 1890s. He went on to establish a successful business venture in the city of São Paulo, playing a pivotal role in the Lebanese diaspora community there.

Another notable figure was Layla KANAWATI, born in 1921 in Lebanon. She was a celebrated author and playwright, renowned for her works that explored themes of identity, displacement, and the experiences of the Lebanese diaspora.

Throughout its history, the KANAWATI surname has been associated with various professions, including merchants, craftsmen, scholars, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kanawati

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

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

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

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