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

Cheriyan, 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 Cheriyan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cheriyan in America

Cheriyan is the 90113th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cheriyan surname appeared 205 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 Cheriyan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cheriyan 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 Cheriyan

The surname Cheriyan is of Indian origin, tracing its roots back to the state of Kerala in southern India. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, possibly as early as the 9th or 10th century CE.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Cheriyan can be found in ancient Malayalam literature and inscriptions from the region. It is thought to be derived from the Malayalam word "cheri," which means a small village or hamlet. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to individuals who hailed from a particular cheri or village.

During the medieval era, Kerala was a hub of cultural and intellectual activity, with thriving trade and commerce. It is possible that the Cheriyan surname was associated with families or communities involved in various trades or occupations specific to their respective villages or cheries.

While there are no definitive historical records pointing to the exact origin of the name, it is worth noting that surnames were not widespread in India until relatively recent times. Cheriyan, like many other Indian surnames, likely evolved as a means of identifying individuals by their place of origin or occupation.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the Cheriyan surname was Kunjan Nambiar Cheriyan, a renowned Malayalam poet and literary figure who lived in the 16th century. His works, such as the epic poem "Krishnagatha," have left an indelible mark on Malayalam literature.

Another notable figure was Pandit Ravi Varma Cheriyan, a renowned astrologer and scholar who lived in the 18th century. His expertise in astrology and Vedic studies earned him widespread recognition, and he is credited with several works on these subjects.

In the 19th century, Puthenkavu Krishnan Cheriyan, a prominent social reformer and activist, played a significant role in advocating for the rights of marginalized communities in Kerala. His efforts contributed to the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of society.

The 20th century saw the rise of Dr. K.R. Cheriyan, a distinguished medical professional and philanthropist. He established several hospitals and healthcare facilities in Kerala, providing accessible medical care to the masses.

More recently, Cheriyan Joseph Kuncheria, a renowned Indian scientist and academic, made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics. He held prominent positions at various research institutions and received numerous accolades for his work.

While the Cheriyan surname may have originated from humble beginnings, it has since been carried by individuals who have left their mark across various fields, from literature and arts to science and social reform, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cheriyan

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

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

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

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