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

Ratsamy, 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 Ratsamy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ratsamy in America

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

The Ratsamy 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 Ratsamy.

The history of the last name Ratsamy

The surname RATSAMY is of Malagasy origin, deriving from the island nation of Madagascar located off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is believed to have originated in the late 17th or early 18th century, a period when Madagascar was a pivotal hub for trade and cultural exchange between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The name RATSAMY is thought to be a combination of two Malagasy words - "ratsam" meaning "noble" or "aristocratic", and the suffix "-y" which denotes a person or individual. Thus, the name RATSAMY can be interpreted as "a noble person" or "one of noble lineage".

Historical records from the Merina Kingdom, which ruled over much of Madagascar during the 18th and 19th centuries, suggest that the RATSAMY name was associated with prominent families and individuals of high social standing. One early notable figure bearing this surname was Andriambaveletra Ratsamy, a influential advisor and diplomat to King Andrianampoinimerina, who reigned from 1787 to 1810.

In the late 19th century, as Madagascar came under French colonial rule, the RATSAMY name began to appear in official government records and documents. One such example is Rainitravo Ratsamy, a Malagasy intellectual and writer who was born in 1884 and played a significant role in preserving and promoting Malagasy culture and literature during the colonial era.

Another prominent figure with the RATSAMY surname was Ravoahangy Ratsamy, a Malagasy politician and statesman who served as Prime Minister of Madagascar from 1975 to 1977, during a period of political transition following the island nation's independence from France.

Over the centuries, variations in spelling and pronunciation of the name RATSAMY have emerged, such as Ratsame, Ratsame, and Ratsami, reflecting regional dialects and linguistic influences within Madagascar. However, the core meaning and noble connotation of the name have remained consistent throughout its history.

It is worth noting that the RATSAMY surname is not unique to Madagascar, as it has also been found among diaspora communities of Malagasy descent in countries such as France, Canada, and the United States. Nonetheless, the name's origins and deep-rooted connections to the island nation's history and culture remain a source of pride and identity for those who bear it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ratsamy

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

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

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

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