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

Wickramasinghe, 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 Wickramasinghe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wickramasinghe in America

Wickramasinghe is the 92358th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wickramasinghe surname appeared 199 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 Wickramasinghe.

The history of the last name Wickramasinghe

The surname Wickramasinghe has its origins in Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia. It is a Sinhalese surname, where the Sinhalese people form the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka. The name is deeply rooted in the Sinhala language and cultural heritage, reflecting the linguistic and social history of Sri Lanka.

Wickramasinghe is derived from two Sanskrit words: "Vikrama" meaning valour or prowess, and "Singha" meaning lion. Combining these elements, the name Wickramasinghe can be interpreted as "valorous lion" or "lion-hearted," signifying bravery and nobility. The lion holds significant cultural and symbolic importance in South Asia, often associated with royalty and strength.

Historical records and manuscripts from Sri Lanka mention variations and old spellings of the surname Wickramasinghe. One of the earliest recorded instances appears in ancient palm-leaf manuscripts and stone inscriptions dating back to the Polonnaruwa period (1070–1232 AD). These documents primarily recorded the deeds of royal families and high-ranking officials who bore the name.

One notable historical figure with the surname Wickramasinghe was Anagarika Dharmapala (1864–1933), born Don David Hewavitarne Wickramasinghe. He was a prominent Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist and a key figure in the worldwide spread of Theravada Buddhism. He contributed significantly to the Buddhist renaissance in India and Sri Lanka and worked towards the restoration of Bodh Gaya, the site of Buddha's enlightenment.

Another significant person was Martin Wickramasinghe (1890–1976), a revered Sri Lankan author and intellectual. His works have played a pivotal role in shaping modern Sinhala literature. Through novels, essays, and critical works, Martin Wickramasinghe explored themes of tradition, change, and the impact of colonialism on Sri Lankan society.

The name Wickramasinghe is also associated with D. B. Nihalsinghe Wickramasinghe (1939–2016), an influential filmmaker and media consultant in Sri Lanka. He was instrumental in advancing the Sri Lankan cinema industry and introduced new filmmaking techniques and storytelling styles that resonated with local audiences.

Solar Wickramasinghe (1912–1992) was a significant figure in Sri Lankan politics and education. He made substantial contributions to the island's educational reforms and youth movements. His efforts were pivotal in democratizing education and promoting youth engagement in socio-political activities.

Furthermore, Lakshman Wickramasinghe (1935–1983) was a Sri Lankan Anglican bishop who played an instrumental role in expanding the reach of the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka. His leadership and advocacy for social justice left a lasting impact on the community and church reforms during his tenure.

The surname Wickramasinghe has echoed through various facets of Sri Lankan history, influencing literature, religion, politics, and education. Each bearer of the name has contributed to the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan culture, leaving enduring legacies that continue to be honored and remembered.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wickramasinghe

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

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 Wickramasinghe 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.

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

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

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