Search 1950 US Census & Historical Records for "Kimhwa"
Find passenger lists, immigration manifests, and marriage certificates for your surname.
Kimhwa
Meaning: Mountain fortress in traditional Vietnamese lineage
Ancestral homeland: Vietnam (East & Southeast Asia). Starting letter: K.
The surname "Kimhwa" is of Vietnamese origin, meaning "Mountain fortress in traditional Vietnamese lineage". In the United States, it ranks #1317 in frequency with an estimated 4,960 individuals, predominantly living in California, Texas, Florida. Historically, Historical Vietnamese family surname tracing ancestry across generations in Vietnam.
Historical Roots & Etymology
Historical Vietnamese family surname tracing ancestry across generations in Vietnam. Associated with toponymic heritage.
As an Toponymic surname, the patronymic or occupational title reflects cultural traditions preserved across centuries. Ancient parish registers, civil census returns, and municipal tax rolls document early branches of the Kimhwa family adapting their spelling and pronunciation across migrations.
Trace Your Kimhwa Family Tree & Ancestral Homeland
Discover where your ancestors lived across 2,600+ global regions. Special US Family History Month Offer.
How Common is the Surname Kimhwa in the US?
#1317
Top US Surnames4,960
American residents14.9
per 1 Million people+14.2%
US Census cycleTop US States by Kimhwa Population Density % of all US bearers
American Immigration Manifests & Ports of Arrival
Immigration records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) trace primary waves of Kimhwa families arriving in the United States during the 1880–1924 (Great Migration Era).
Global Geographic Distribution & Diaspora
Historical records trace prominent lineages of the Kimhwa family across these major worldwide regions:
Notable Historical Figures & Bearers of "Kimhwa"
Celebrated individuals carrying the surname Kimhwa with distinction across civic governance, literature, science, and industry:
Historical Spelling Variants
Before standardized spelling conventions in the 19th century, civil census enumerators recorded multiple phonetically related variants:
Frequently Asked Questions about Kimhwa
Expert answers to common questions about names, origins, and naming traditions
The surname Kimhwa originates from Vietnamese heritage and traditionally translates to "Mountain fortress in traditional Vietnamese lineage". Historically, it was adopted as an toponymic marker to signify clan lineage, professional craft, or geographic homeland.
According to United States Census Bureau records, Kimhwa ranks as the #1317 most common surname in America, carried by an estimated 4,960 people (14.9 occurrences per million residents). The highest concentrations are found in California (12.5%), Texas (10.8%), Florida (8.4%), New York (7.9%), Pennsylvania (6.2%).
Major waves of families carrying the name Kimhwa arrived in North America during the 1880–1924 (Great Migration Era). The primary historical ports of entry recorded in immigration manifests include Port of New York (Ellis Island), Boston, Philadelphia.
Notable individuals with the surname Kimhwa include Prominent Vietnamese cultural and historic figures, recognized for their contributions in history, governance, arts, and science.
Recorded historical spelling variations and regional cognates of Kimhwa include Kimhwae, Kimhwai.
Claim the Official Kimhwa Family Crest & Coat of Arms
High-resolution heraldic crests, family mottoes, and archival parchment prints for framing.
Surname Fast Facts
- Origin / Demonym
- Vietnamese
- Ancestral Nation
- 🇻🇳 Vietnam
- Classification
- Toponymic
- US Frequency Rank
- #1317
- Est. US Population
- ~4,960
- Primary US State
- California
Official Kimhwa Family Heraldic Certificate
High-resolution heraldic crests, family mottoes, and archival parchment prints for framing.
Why Research Your Last Name?
- Connect with living cousins in the US & worldwide
- Discover ancient migration pathways & settlements
- Preserve heirloom documents for future generations
Sponsored by Historic Crest Archives • Privacy Protected
Need a Certified Research Dossier for Kimhwa?
Print or save the official etymology, US census ranking, and historical records for your family archives.