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

Miya, 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 Miya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Miya in America

Miya is the 61585th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Miya surname appeared 326 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 Miya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Miya 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 Miya

The surname Miya originated in Japan, with its roots tracing back to the early Heian period (794-1185 AD). The name is believed to be derived from the Japanese word "miya," which translates to "palace" or "shrine." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the surname may have been associated with imperial or religious establishments during that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Miya can be found in the Azuma Kagami, a historical chronicle compiled in the late 13th century. The document mentions a prominent samurai named Miya Nobuyuki, who served under the shogunate during the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

In the subsequent Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Miya surname gained prominence with the rise of the Miya clan, a influential noble family that governed the Ise Grand Shrine, one of the most revered Shinto shrines in Japan. The clan's association with the sacred site added further significance to the name's connection with religious and spiritual traditions.

Notable individuals with the surname Miya include Miya Tokiko (1647-1707), a renowned poet and calligrapher during the Edo period. Her literary works, particularly her waka poetry, were widely celebrated and influenced the cultural landscape of her time.

Miya Masanori (1758-1816) was a prominent scholar and educator who played a pivotal role in reviving the study of ancient Japanese literature and classical texts during the late Edo period. His contributions to the preservation and dissemination of traditional knowledge were highly regarded.

In the modern era, the name Miya gained international recognition through the accomplishments of Miya Atsumu (1928-2021), a celebrated Japanese businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Konosuke Matsushita Memorial Foundation, which supports educational initiatives and promotes international understanding.

Another notable figure is Miya Shigeru (1900-1969), a renowned architect who pioneered the modernist movement in Japanese architecture. His innovative designs, including the iconic Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of Japan and beyond.

While the surname Miya has its origins in ancient Japan, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its deep-rooted connection to the historical and cultural heritage of Japan remains a significant aspect of its identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Miya

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

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

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

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