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

Karnavas, 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 Karnavas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Karnavas in America

Karnavas is the 112568th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Karnavas surname appeared 156 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 Karnavas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Karnavas 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 Karnavas

The surname KARNAVAS is of Greek origin, with roots tracing back to ancient Greece. It is believed to have originated in the region of Karnavos, a town located in the northwestern part of the country, near the city of Ioannina. The name is derived from the Greek word "karnos," which means "ram" or "male sheep," suggesting a potential connection to the region's historical prominence in sheep farming.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KARNAVAS surname can be found in a 14th-century manuscript detailing land ownership records in the region of Karnavos. The document mentions a family bearing the name, indicating their presence and influence in the area during that time period.

In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Ioannis KARNAVAS was documented as a respected scholar and philosopher, renowned for his contributions to the intellectual discourse of the time. He was born in Karnavos in 1512 and spent his later years teaching in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), where he died in 1587.

During the 17th century, the KARNAVAS surname began to spread beyond its place of origin as members of the family migrated to other parts of Greece and established new roots. One notable figure from this period was Georgios KARNAVAS, a skilled artisan and craftsman born in Athens in 1647, who gained recognition for his intricate woodwork and furniture designs.

The 19th century saw the rise of a distinguished military officer named Konstantinos KARNAVAS, born in Karnavos in 1812. He played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire and was celebrated for his bravery and strategic leadership on the battlefield. He died in 1887, leaving behind a legacy of patriotism and service to his country.

Another notable figure from the 19th century was Eleni KARNAVAS, a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. Born in Thessaloniki in 1842, she established one of the first schools for girls in the region and dedicated her life to promoting equal educational opportunities for women. Her efforts paved the way for future generations of female scholars and leaders.

As the KARNAVAS name spread across Greece and beyond, it also found its way to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. While the surname maintains its Greek roots, it has been embraced by diverse communities, each contributing to its rich tapestry of history and cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Karnavas

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

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

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

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