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

Teruya, 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 Teruya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Teruya in America

Teruya is the 32865th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Teruya surname appeared 698 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 Teruya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Teruya 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 Teruya

The surname Teruya originated in Okinawa, Japan, with records showing its existence dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the local Okinawan language, although the exact meaning and etymology are uncertain. Some scholars suggest it may be related to the word "teru," meaning "shining" or "radiant," potentially referring to a person's character or appearance.

One of the earliest documented references to the Teruya name can be found in the Omoro Soshi, a collection of traditional Okinawan poems and songs from the 17th century. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region during that time period.

In the late 18th century, a prominent Okinawan scholar and writer named Teruya Rinsei (1738-1824) gained recognition for his contributions to the study of Ryukyuan literature and culture. His works, including the "Omoro Soshi Monogatari," helped preserve and promote the traditions of the Ryukyu Islands.

During the 19th century, Teruya Sokan (1804-1850) was a notable Okinawan scholar and poet who wrote extensively on the history and folklore of the Ryukyu Islands. His work, "Kyuyo," remains an important source of information on the customs and beliefs of the Okinawan people.

In more recent times, Teruya Kantoku (1923-2007) was a renowned Okinawan artist and woodblock print master. His intricate and vibrant prints, depicting scenes from Okinawan life and mythology, earned him international acclaim and helped to promote the cultural heritage of his homeland.

Another notable figure is Teruya Miki (born 1976), a contemporary Okinawan author and playwright. Her works, often exploring themes of identity and cultural displacement, have received critical acclaim and have been translated into multiple languages.

While the exact origins of the Teruya surname may be shrouded in mystery, its long history and presence in Okinawan culture and literature demonstrate its significance and enduring legacy in the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Teruya

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

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

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

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