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

Medhin, 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 Medhin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Medhin in America

Medhin is the 143149th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Medhin surname appeared 116 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 Medhin.

The history of the last name Medhin

The surname Medhin has its origins in the Tigrinya language spoken in Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia. It is believed to have emerged in the late 15th or early 16th century, derived from the Tigrinya word "medhanie," meaning "savior" or "redeemer."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Medhin appears in a manuscript from the 17th century, detailing the lives of notable figures in the Eritrean Orthodox Church. This document mentions a prominent cleric named Abba Medhin, who lived in the late 16th century and was revered for his piety and teachings.

During the 19th century, the name Medhin gained prominence in the Eritrean highlands, particularly in the regions of Hamasien and Akele Guzai. Historical records from this period indicate that several influential families bore this surname, often associated with landowners and local leaders.

One notable bearer of the name Medhin was Blatta Medhin, a prominent military leader who played a crucial role in the resistance against Italian colonial forces in the late 19th century. Born in 1850, he is renowned for his strategic prowess and unwavering determination in defending Eritrean sovereignty.

Another significant figure with the surname Medhin was Ghirmatsion Medhin, a renowned Eritrean poet and writer who lived from 1873 to 1948. His works, written in Tigrinya and Amharic, are celebrated for their poetic beauty and insightful commentary on social and cultural issues of his time.

In the early 20th century, the name Medhin was also associated with several religious leaders and scholars within the Eritrean Orthodox Church. One such figure was Abuna Medhin, a respected bishop who played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Eritrean cultural traditions during the Italian colonial period.

While the surname Medhin has its roots in Eritrea, it has also been found in various parts of Ethiopia, particularly in the Tigray region, which shares cultural and linguistic ties with Eritrea. This is likely due to historical migration patterns and intermarriages between the two regions.

Despite its widespread use, the name Medhin has maintained its strong connection to its Tigrinya origins, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and history of the Eritrean and Tigrayan peoples.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Medhin

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

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

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

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