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

Terao, 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 Terao surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Terao in America

Terao is the 97210th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Terao surname appeared 187 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 Terao.

We can also compare 2010 data for Terao 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 Terao

The surname TERAO is of Japanese origin and dates back several centuries. It is believed to have originated from the Kanto region of central Japan, particularly in areas around modern-day Tokyo. The name is thought to be derived from the Japanese words "te," meaning hand, and "rao," meaning to weave or braid, suggesting an association with textile work or craftsmanship.

Historical records indicate that the name TERAO appeared in various manuscripts and documents related to Japanese feudal society, such as land ownership records and tax rolls. One notable early reference is found in the "Nara Koki," a historical chronicle compiled in the late 8th century CE, which mentions a person with the surname TERAO serving as a court official.

The earliest recorded examples of the name TERAO can be traced back to the late 12th century, with mentions in family genealogies and local records from the Kanto region. During this period, the name was sometimes spelled with slight variations, such as "Teraho" or "Terawo," reflecting differences in local dialects and calligraphic styles.

Some notable individuals with the surname TERAO throughout history include Terao Masahiro (1668-1737), a prominent Edo-period merchant and philanthropist known for his support of education and cultural initiatives. Another notable figure was Terao Tsurayuki (1858-1935), a Meiji-era scholar and calligrapher who played a significant role in the preservation and promotion of traditional Japanese arts.

In the field of literature, Terao Hatsumi (1924-2008) was a celebrated novelist and essayist, known for her works exploring themes of family, identity, and social change in post-war Japan. Terao Akira (1918-2006) was a renowned sculptor and ceramicist, whose works blended traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern forms and techniques.

Additionally, Terao Kazuo (1938-2007) was a prominent Japanese businessman and industrialist, serving as the president and CEO of the Terao Corporation, a leading manufacturing company specializing in precision engineering and automotive components.

These are just a few examples of individuals bearing the surname TERAO who have left their mark on various aspects of Japanese history, culture, and society over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Terao

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

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

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

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