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

Lembesis, 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 Lembesis surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Lembesis in America

Lembesis is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lembesis surname appeared 105 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Lembesis.

The history of the last name Lembesis

The surname Lembesis has its origins in Greece, dating back to the Byzantine period, which spanned from approximately the 4th to the 15th century. The name is predominantly found in regions of southern Greece, particularly in the Peloponnese and the islands of the Aegean Sea. It is derived from old Greek words related to “lembos,” meaning boat or galley, and suggests a historical linkage to seafaring or shipbuilding activities.

The earliest known records of the Lembesis surname appear in Byzantine military registers and tax documents, indicating that individuals bearing this name were involved in naval and maritime professions. Documents from the 10th century make vague references to a family known for their fleet of merchant ships operating along the Aegean coast. This aligns with the etymology of the name, pointing to a strong maritime tradition.

By the 13th century, the name begins to appear more frequently in public records. One notable figure was Andreas Lembesis, a prominent shipbuilder from the island of Chios, born in 1275, whose contributions significantly advanced the local shipbuilding industry. His efforts were instrumental in expanding the maritime trade routes that connected Eastern and Western Europe during the late medieval period.

In the 16th century, another distinguished bearer of the name was Georgios Lembesis, born in 1510, who served as a naval officer in the fleet of the Republic of Venice, which had dominion over parts of Greece at the time. His service was documented in Venetian maritime records, reflecting his strategic importance in various naval battles against the Ottoman Empire.

The name surfaces again in the 18th century with Panagiotis Lembesis, born in 1734, a notable merchant from the island of Hydra. His extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean significantly contributed to the economic prosperity of Hydra, making it a key maritime hub. Historical records from this period highlight his business acumen and influence in regional politics.

In the 19th century, the name Lembesis was carried by Nikolaos Lembesis, born in 1835, a figure who played a vital role during the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule. Military records and memoirs from his contemporaries often highlight his leadership and bravery in several key battles, cementing his reputation as a national hero.

By tracing the Lembesis surname, one can observe a consistent theme of maritime involvement spanning several centuries. Each individual’s contributions, whether in shipbuilding, naval warfare, or maritime trade, reflect the deeply ingrained nautical heritage embedded in the name. This lineage highlights the enduring influence of the Lembesis family in Greece’s maritime history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lembesis

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Lembesis 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 Lembesis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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