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

Somsanith, 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 Somsanith surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Somsanith in America

Somsanith is the 118853rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Somsanith surname appeared 146 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 Somsanith.

We can also compare 2010 data for Somsanith 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 Somsanith

The surname "SOMSANITH" is believed to have originated in Cambodia during the 14th century. It is derived from the Khmer words "som" meaning "gold" and "sanith" meaning "precious stone." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in the trade or crafting of valuable materials.

During the Angkorian era, the name appears in several ancient stone inscriptions and manuscripts, indicating its presence among the nobility and members of the royal court. One notable reference is found in the "Khmer Inscriptions of Angkor" compiled by George Cœdès, where a high-ranking official named Somsanith is mentioned in a 1369 inscription.

The earliest recorded bearer of the name is believed to be a Buddhist monk named Somsanith Mahāsangha, who lived during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. He is credited with establishing several monasteries and temples in the Angkor region.

In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Somsanith Kosal served as a military commander under King Ang Chan. He played a crucial role in defending the Khmer Empire against Siamese invasions and is celebrated in various historical accounts for his bravery and strategic prowess.

Another notable individual with the surname Somsanith was Somsanith Neakmonathor, a 17th-century scholar and author who wrote extensively on Khmer history, literature, and culture. His works, such as the "Khmer Chronicle," are invaluable sources for understanding the society and traditions of that era.

In the 19th century, Somsanith Pich was a respected Buddhist monk and teacher who played a significant role in preserving and promoting the Khmer language and literature. He authored several texts on Buddhist teachings and Khmer grammar, which are still studied today.

Somsanith Vongsa, born in 1892, was a renowned Cambodian artist and architect known for his intricate wood carvings and traditional Khmer architectural designs. His works can be found adorning many temples and buildings throughout Cambodia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Somsanith

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

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

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

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