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

Shamash, 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 Shamash surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shamash in America

Shamash is the 88336th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shamash surname appeared 210 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 Shamash.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shamash 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 Shamash

The surname SHAMASH has its origins in ancient Mesopotamia, particularly in the region of Sumer, which is located in modern-day Iraq. The name is derived from the Akkadian and Sumerian term "Shamash," which was the name of the ancient Mesopotamian sun god. This deity was one of the most important figures in the Mesopotamian pantheon and was associated with justice, truth, and order.

The earliest recorded instances of the name SHAMASH can be traced back to cuneiform inscriptions and clay tablets dating back to the third millennium BCE. These ancient records often mentioned individuals with the name, indicating its usage as a personal name during that time period. The name was likely adopted as a surname by some families as a way to honor or pay tribute to the sun god.

In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Shamash was depicted as a powerful and benevolent deity who brought light and warmth to the world. He was also revered as the protector of travelers and as the god of justice, ensuring that laws were upheld and contracts were honored. This association with justice and truth may have contributed to the adoption of the name by families involved in legal professions or those who valued these virtues.

One notable historical figure with the surname SHAMASH was Shamash-shum-ukin, who lived in the 7th century BCE and was the younger son of the Assyrian king Esarhaddon. He served as the king of Babylon and was known for his efforts to preserve and promote Babylonian culture and traditions.

Another individual with the surname SHAMASH was Shamash-iddin, a Babylonian astronomer who lived in the 3rd century BCE. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and is credited with recording and analyzing the movements of celestial bodies, including the sun and moon.

In the 1st century CE, a Jewish scholar and historian named Josephus mentioned an individual named Shamash in his writings. This suggests that the name may have been adopted by some Jewish families during that time period.

During the medieval period, there are records of individuals with the surname SHAMASH living in various regions of the Middle East, including present-day Iraq, Iran, and Syria. However, specific details about their lives and accomplishments are limited.

In more recent times, one notable figure with the surname SHAMASH was Yaʻqub Shamash, an Iraqi-Jewish scholar and linguist who lived in the early 20th century. He made significant contributions to the study and preservation of the Judeo-Arabic language and culture.

Overall, the surname SHAMASH has a rich and ancient history, with its roots firmly planted in the religious and cultural traditions of ancient Mesopotamia. While its prominence may have waxed and waned throughout the centuries, the name continues to carry a connection to its divine origins and the enduring legacy of one of the most revered deities in ancient Near Eastern mythology.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shamash

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

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

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

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