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

Mersha, 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 Mersha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mersha in America

Mersha is the 105079th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mersha surname appeared 170 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 Mersha.

The history of the last name Mersha

The surname Mersha is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, where it is a relatively common name among certain ethnic groups. The name is thought to derive from the Amharic word "mers," which means "to lead" or "to guide," suggesting that the name may have initially been given to individuals who held leadership roles within their communities.

Historically, the name Mersha can be traced back to the medieval period in Ethiopia, with references to individuals bearing this surname appearing in various historical documents and records. One notable example is found in the 14th-century manuscript known as the "Kebre Negest" (Book of Kings), which mentions a prominent figure named Mersha Weled, who served as a high-ranking official in the court of Emperor Amda Seyon I (1314-1344).

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mersha surname gained further prominence, with several individuals bearing this name playing significant roles in the political and religious affairs of the Ethiopian Empire. One such figure was Mersha Kristos, a renowned scholar and theologian who lived during the reign of Emperor Susenyos I (1607-1632). Mersha Kristos is credited with translating various religious texts from Ge'ez (the ancient language of Ethiopia) into Amharic, contributing to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Another notable individual with the surname Mersha was Mersha Hazen, a prominent military leader who served under Emperor Tewodros II (1855-1868). Mersha Hazen played a crucial role in several military campaigns, including the Battle of Gura, where he led Ethiopian forces against the invading Ottoman armies.

In more recent times, the Mersha surname has been associated with several influential figures in various fields. One such individual is Mersha Hassen, a renowned Ethiopian novelist and playwright who was born in 1936. Hassen's works, including the critically acclaimed novel "Ye-Alga Mewled" (The Birth of a Child), have been widely celebrated for their exploration of societal issues and their contribution to the development of modern Ethiopian literature.

Another notable figure bearing the Mersha surname is Mersha Gebretsadik, an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. Gebretsadik won several international marathons and held the world record for the 25-kilometer road race for several years, cementing his place as one of Ethiopia's most accomplished athletes.

While the surname Mersha is most commonly found in Ethiopia, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical roots and cultural significance of this name remain deeply rooted in the rich heritage of the Ethiopian people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mersha

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

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

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

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