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

Achar, 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 Achar surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Achar in America

Achar is the 110286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Achar surname appeared 160 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 Achar.

The history of the last name Achar

The surname Achar originates from India, specifically from the northern state of Punjab. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "achar," which means "pickle" or "preserve." The name likely emerged during the medieval period, between the 9th and 13th centuries.

One of the earliest known references to the Achar name can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document compiled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The text mentions individuals with the surname Achar residing in the regions of Punjab and Delhi.

During the 17th century, the Achar surname appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, particularly in administrative documents and land records. One notable mention is in the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, a memoir written by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, where he mentions a courtier named Ranjit Achar.

The earliest recorded individual with the Achar surname is Gopal Achar, a merchant and trader who lived in the city of Lahore during the late 15th century. Another prominent figure was Hari Achar, a scholar and poet who flourished in the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century.

In the 18th century, the Achar surname was associated with several notable figures, including Sita Ram Achar, a renowned musician and composer who served at the court of the Maratha ruler Shahu I. Additionally, Govind Achar, a military commander, played a significant role in the campaigns of the Maratha Empire.

During the 19th century, the Achar surname gained prominence with individuals like Lala Achar Mal, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who established several educational institutions in Punjab. Another notable figure was Kavi Achar Singh, a celebrated Punjabi poet and writer known for his contributions to the Punjabi literary tradition.

Throughout history, the Achar surname has been linked to various occupations, including merchants, traders, scholars, poets, musicians, and military commanders. The name's connection to the word "achar" (pickle or preserve) may suggest that some of the earliest bearers of this surname were involved in the production or trade of pickles and preserves.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Achar

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

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

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

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