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

Tesfai, 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 Tesfai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tesfai in America

Tesfai is the 41359th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tesfai surname appeared 526 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 Tesfai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tesfai 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 Tesfai

The surname TESFAI is of Eritrean origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient Semitic languages spoken in the region. It likely originated in the Tigrinya or Tigre dialects prevalent in Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia.

The name TESFAI is believed to be derived from the Ge'ez word "tsaf'ay," which means "my judge" or "my arbiter." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who held positions of authority or served as judges or arbiters within their communities.

Historical records from the region are scarce, but some early mentions of variations of the name TESFAI can be found in ancient Ge'ez manuscripts and inscriptions dating back to the 4th century AD, during the Aksumite Empire. These early references often appear in the context of legal proceedings or disputes, lending credence to the name's connection with judicial roles.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing this surname was Abreha Tesfai, a renowned scholar and theologian who lived in the 14th century. He was known for his contributions to the study of Ge'ez literature and his writings on religious matters.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Bahri Tesfai gained prominence as a military leader during the Adal-Abyssinian War. His prowess on the battlefield earned him a place in the annals of Eritrean history.

Another historical figure of note was Ghirmay Tesfai, a respected elder and community leader in the 18th century who played a crucial role in mediating conflicts and resolving disputes within his region.

In the 19th century, Haile Tesfai was a prominent merchant and trader who established trade routes between Eritrea and neighboring regions, contributing to the flourishing of commerce and cultural exchange.

Towards the end of the 19th century, Aster Tesfai gained recognition as a skilled artisan and craftsman, renowned for his intricate metalwork and jewelry designs that incorporated traditional Eritrean motifs and techniques.

While the surname TESFAI has its origins in Eritrea, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical roots and associations with authority, justice, and cultural significance remain deeply ingrained in this ancient name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tesfai

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

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

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

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