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

Bhamra, 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 Bhamra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bhamra in America

Bhamra is the 149395th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bhamra surname appeared 110 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 Bhamra.

The history of the last name Bhamra

The surname Bhamra has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Punjab. It is believed to have emerged around the 16th century, when surnames were becoming more common among various communities. The name Bhamra is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhamri," which means "a bee." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been involved in activities related to beekeeping or honey production.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Bhamra can be found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text contains details about the revenue system and the social and economic conditions of the Mughal Empire. The presence of the name Bhamra in this document indicates that individuals bearing this surname were part of the population during the Mughal era.

In the 18th century, the name Bhamra appeared in several local land records and administrative documents in the Punjab region. This suggests that the Bhamra families had established themselves as landowners or influential members of their respective communities during this period. Some of these records also mention variations in the spelling, such as "Bhamrah" or "Bhamraa," reflecting regional linguistic variations.

One notable individual with the surname Bhamra was Bhai Taru Singh Bhamra, a prominent Sikh warrior and military leader who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He played a significant role in the defense of the Sikh community during the turbulent times of the Mughal-Sikh conflicts. Another prominent figure was Sardar Harbans Singh Bhamra, a renowned scholar and historian from the 19th century, who authored several works on Sikh history and literature.

In the 20th century, the Bhamra surname gained international recognition through the achievements of individuals like Bhupen Bhamra, an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Kathak dance. Another notable individual was Daljit Bhamra, a British-Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Bhamra Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged communities through education and skill development.

Throughout its history, the surname Bhamra has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, military service, academia, and the arts. The name's connection to the word "Bhamri" (bee) has also led to its association with diligence, hard work, and a strong sense of community, reflecting the values and traditions of the regions where it originated.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bhamra

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

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

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

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