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

Tamanaha, 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 Tamanaha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tamanaha in America

Tamanaha is the 40554th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tamanaha surname appeared 539 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 Tamanaha.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tamanaha 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 Tamanaha

The surname Tamanaha is believed to be of Okinawan origin, tracing its roots back to the Ryukyu Kingdom, a maritime nation that once spanned the islands of modern-day Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The name likely emerged during the 15th to 19th centuries, a period when the Ryukyu Kingdom flourished as a prosperous trading hub in East Asia.

Linguists suggest that Tamanaha is derived from the Okinawan word "tama," meaning "ball" or "sphere," and "naha," a placename referring to the present-day capital city of Okinawa. The combined form, "Tamanaha," may have initially designated someone hailing from the Naha region or an individual associated with a spherical object or trade involving spherical goods.

Historical records from the Ryukyu Kingdom are scarce, but a few notable mentions of the name Tamanaha have been uncovered. In the late 16th century, a document known as the "Kikoe Ogusoku" (Provisions for Maritime Laws) referenced a Tamanaha family involved in the kingdom's thriving maritime trade.

The earliest known individual bearing the surname Tamanaha was Tamanaha Kinsuke, a merchant and navigator who lived in the early 17th century. He is credited with establishing trade routes between the Ryukyu Islands and various ports in Southeast Asia, contributing significantly to the kingdom's economic prosperity.

Another prominent figure was Tamanaha Choken (1766-1840), a scholar and philosopher who advocated for the preservation of Okinawan culture and traditions. His writings and teachings played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual landscape of the Ryukyu Kingdom during a time of increasing influence from mainland Japan.

In the 19th century, Tamanaha Ankan (1835-1898) was a renowned poet and calligrapher who helped revive and promote the traditional arts of Okinawa. His works continue to be celebrated and studied to this day, serving as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Ryukyu Islands.

Tamanaha Shunjo (1850-1923) was a distinguished educator who established several schools in Okinawa, advocating for accessible education and the empowerment of women. His efforts paved the way for greater educational opportunities and social reforms in the region.

In more recent times, Tamanaha Masao (1913-1996) was a revered musician and composer who helped preserve and popularize traditional Okinawan music, particularly the sanshin (a three-stringed lute). His compositions and performances have been instrumental in keeping the unique musical traditions of Okinawa alive and thriving.

While the Tamanaha surname originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom, it has since spread to various parts of Japan and beyond, carried by individuals and families who migrated from the Okinawa Islands over the centuries. Despite its geographical dispersal, the name continues to hold deep cultural significance, serving as a reminder of the rich history and heritage of the Ryukyu people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tamanaha

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

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

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

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