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

Chapla, 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 Chapla surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chapla in America

Chapla is the 71478th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chapla surname appeared 273 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 Chapla.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chapla to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Chapla

The surname Chapla has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern region of Punjab. The name can be traced back to the 16th century and is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "chapala," which means "restless" or "unsteady." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a restless or fidgety nature.

One of the earliest known references to the name Chapla can be found in the historical records of the Mughal Empire, which ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent during the 16th to 19th centuries. The name appears in a document dated 1628, which lists the names of landowners in the region of Punjab.

In the 18th century, the name Chapla can be found in the records of the Sikh Empire, which was a major power in Punjab and the surrounding areas. One notable figure bearing this surname was Bhai Mani Singh Chapla (1644-1734), a renowned Sikh scholar and warrior who played a significant role in preserving and promoting the Sikh faith during a period of persecution.

As the Indian subcontinent underwent various waves of migration and settlement, the name Chapla also spread to other regions. In the 19th century, there are records of individuals with the surname Chapla living in parts of present-day Pakistan, Bangladesh, and even as far as Burma (now Myanmar).

Another notable figure with the surname Chapla was Gopal Singh Chapla (1870-1942), a prominent Indian freedom fighter and political activist who actively campaigned against British colonial rule in India. He was known for his fiery speeches and dedication to the cause of Indian independence.

During the 20th century, the name Chapla gained further recognition with the rise of Harbhajan Singh Chapla (1920-2001), a highly respected Sikh intellectual and writer who authored several books on Sikhism and Punjabi literature. His works played a significant role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Punjab region.

While the surname Chapla has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread across the globe due to migration and diaspora communities. Today, individuals bearing this name can be found in various parts of the world, carrying with them the rich cultural heritage and history associated with this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chapla

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

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 Chapla 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Chapla has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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