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

Phea, 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 Phea surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Phea in America

Phea is the 96799th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Phea surname appeared 188 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 Phea.

We can also compare 2010 data for Phea 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 Phea

The surname PHEA originates from the Cambodian region, with its roots tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Khmer word "phea," which means "rice field" or "paddy." This connection suggests that the name's earliest bearers were likely rice farmers or landowners associated with rice cultivation.

During the reign of the Khmer Empire, which flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries, the PHEA name is documented in various historical records and inscriptions. One notable mention is found in the Angkor Wat temple inscriptions, where a prominent figure named Phea Sokkhapheap is listed as a high-ranking official in the royal court of King Jayavarman VII (1181-1218 AD).

The earliest recorded instance of the PHEA surname can be traced back to a Buddhist monk named Phea Visanukam, who lived in the 16th century and was renowned for his scholarly contributions to Khmer literature and philosophy. His writings and teachings were highly influential during that period and have been preserved in various monastic libraries.

In the 17th century, a prominent military commander named Phea Srey Sak (1620-1675) played a pivotal role in defending the Khmer kingdom against frequent incursions from neighboring Siamese and Vietnamese forces. His valor and strategic prowess earned him a reputation as a skilled warrior, and his exploits were documented in several historical accounts of the time.

During the 19th century, the PHEA surname gained further recognition with the rise of Phea Bunnath (1839-1903), a revered Buddhist scholar and poet who made significant contributions to the preservation of Khmer literature and cultural traditions. His works, which included religious texts, poems, and moral teachings, were widely studied and revered throughout the region.

Another notable figure bearing the PHEA surname was Phea Chansavath (1875-1945), a respected diplomat and statesman who served as the Cambodian ambassador to France and played a crucial role in negotiating favorable terms for his country during the colonial era. His efforts helped to maintain Cambodia's cultural identity and sovereignty during a period of significant political upheaval.

While the PHEA surname has its origins in Cambodia, it has since spread to other regions through migration and cultural exchange. Bearers of this name can be found in various parts of Southeast Asia, as well as in diaspora communities around the world, where they continue to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Phea

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

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

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

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