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

Ayyar, 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 Ayyar surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ayyar in America

Ayyar is the 141140th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ayyar surname appeared 118 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 Ayyar.

The history of the last name Ayyar

The surname AYYAR has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is believed to have emerged around the 10th or 11th century CE, during the height of the Chola Empire.

The name AYYAR is derived from the Tamil word "Ayyar," which was a title or honorific bestowed upon individuals who excelled in various fields, such as scholars, warriors, or administrators. This title was often associated with the warrior caste or the Kshatriya community.

One of the earliest documented references to the name AYYAR can be found in ancient Tamil literature, such as the Sangam poetry and the Silappadikaram, which date back to the early centuries of the common era. These literary works mention individuals with the title "Ayyar," indicating their prominence in society.

In the medieval period, the AYYAR surname gained prominence with the rise of the Vijayanagar Empire, which ruled over large parts of southern India from the 14th to the 17th century. Several notable figures bearing the AYYAR surname served as ministers, military commanders, and advisors to the Vijayanagar rulers.

One such figure was Govinda Ayyar (1375-1445), who served as the chief minister and military strategist under the Vijayanagar king Devaraya II. Govinda Ayyar played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Another notable individual with the AYYAR surname was Krishnadevaraya (1471-1529), who was one of the most celebrated rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire. Although not born with the surname AYYAR, he later adopted it as a title of honor, becoming known as Krishnadevaraya Ayyar.

In the 18th century, the AYYAR surname gained further prominence in the southern Indian kingdom of Travancore (present-day Kerala). Several members of the AYYAR community held influential positions in the Travancore court and administration, serving as ministers, diplomats, and advisors to the royal family.

One notable figure from this period was Rajah Sir Rama Ayyar (1766-1822), who served as the Prime Minister of Travancore and played a crucial role in modernizing the kingdom's administration and strengthening its relations with the British East India Company.

Lastly, in the realm of literature and scholarship, the AYYAR surname has been associated with several eminent figures. One such individual was V.K. Ayyar (1901-1980), a renowned Tamil scholar, writer, and historian who made significant contributions to the study and preservation of Tamil literature and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ayyar

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

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

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

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