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

Begam, 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 Begam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Begam in America

Begam is the 135593rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Begam surname appeared 124 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 Begam.

The history of the last name Begam

The surname BEGAM has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Persian word "begam," which means "lady" or "princess." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals of noble or royal descent.

In the early years of its usage, the surname BEGAM was predominantly found in the northern regions of India, particularly in areas that were under Mughal rule. The Mughals were a Muslim dynasty that ruled over a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century.

One of the earliest documented references to the name BEGAM can be found in the chronicles of the Mughal Empire. These historical records mention several begams (ladies) who held influential positions within the royal court or were married to prominent noblemen.

One notable bearer of the surname BEGAM was Nur Jahan Begam (1577-1645), who was the wife of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. She wielded considerable power and influence during her husband's reign and was known for her exceptional beauty, intelligence, and diplomatic skills.

Another prominent figure with the surname BEGAM was Jahanara Begam (1614-1681), who was the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor. She was a highly educated and accomplished woman, renowned for her patronage of arts, architecture, and literature.

In the 17th century, the surname BEGAM also appears in historical records from the Deccan region of India, where it was associated with the Nizam Shahi dynasty that ruled over the Ahmednagar Sultanate.

As the Mughal Empire expanded and contracted, the surname BEGAM spread to various parts of the subcontinent, often retaining its association with individuals of noble or influential backgrounds.

One notable example from a later period is Begam Samru (1753-1836), who was a prominent ruler and military leader in the territories around present-day Delhi and Agra. She was of Indian-Muslim descent and rose to power during the decline of the Mughal Empire.

Another significant figure who bore the surname BEGAM was Begam Hazrat Mahal (1820-1879), who was the wife of the last Nawab of Awadh. She played a crucial role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, leading the rebel forces against the British East India Company.

Throughout its history, the surname BEGAM has retained its connection to nobility, power, and influence, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent and the legacy of the Mughal Empire.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Begam

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

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

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

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