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

Chellappa, 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 Chellappa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chellappa in America

Chellappa is the 123796th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chellappa surname appeared 139 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 Chellappa.

The history of the last name Chellappa

The surname Chellappa is of Tamil origin, originating from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It first emerged during the medieval period, around the 9th to 12th centuries CE. The name is derived from the Tamil words "Chella" meaning "prosperous" or "wealthy", and "Appa" meaning "father" or "respectable man".

Chellappa was initially a title or honorific bestowed upon affluent and influential members of Tamil society. Over time, it transitioned into a hereditary surname, passed down through generations within specific families and communities. The name's roots can be traced back to ancient Tamil literature and inscriptions, which document its usage during the reign of the prominent Chola dynasty.

Historical records indicate that prominent individuals bearing the surname Chellappa held influential positions in the royal courts and administrative councils of various Tamil kingdoms. One notable figure was Chellappa Mudaliar, a renowned statesman and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom in the late 18th century.

Another prominent figure was Chellappa Chettiar, a successful merchant and philanthropist from the 19th century, who established several educational institutions and charitable organizations in Tamil Nadu. His legacy continues through the Chellappa Vidyalaya schools, which bear his name.

In the realm of arts and culture, Chellappa Naicker was a renowned Tamil playwright and poet during the 17th century, whose works significantly contributed to the development of Tamil literature. His play "Sarangadhara Vilasam" is considered a classic in the Tamil literary canon.

The surname Chellappa can also be found in ancient inscriptions and records from various parts of Tamil Nadu, such as the Thanjavur and Madurai regions, where it was particularly prevalent among affluent and influential families.

While the surname Chellappa originated in Tamil Nadu, it has since spread to other parts of India and the world due to migration and diaspora communities. Prominent individuals bearing this surname can be found in diverse fields, including politics, business, academia, and the arts, both within India and abroad.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chellappa

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

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

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

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