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

Chhatwal, 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 Chhatwal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chhatwal in America

Chhatwal is the 130610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chhatwal surname appeared 130 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 Chhatwal.

The history of the last name Chhatwal

The surname CHHATWAL originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the Punjab region that spans parts of modern-day India and Pakistan. The name is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "Chhatra," which means "umbrella" or "shade," and the suffix "val," meaning "keeper" or "bearer." Thus, the name CHHATWAL likely referred to someone who carried or provided umbrellas or provided shade to others.

The earliest known references to the CHHATWAL surname can be traced back to the 16th century, when the name appeared in various historical records and manuscripts from the Punjab region. One notable example is the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century Persian manuscript commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, which mentioned individuals with the surname CHHATWAL.

During the Mughal era, which spanned from the 16th to the 19th century, the CHHATWAL surname was particularly prevalent in the regions of Sirhind, Patiala, and Ludhiana, which were important centers of trade and commerce. Some historical figures bearing the CHHATWAL surname include Bhai Mani Singh CHHATWAL (1644-1737), a renowned Sikh scholar and warrior who played a significant role in the Sikh resistance against the Mughal Empire.

In the 18th century, the CHHATWAL surname gained prominence in the princely state of Patiala, where several members of the ruling family held the surname. One notable figure was Raja Ala Singh CHHATWAL (1691-1765), the founder of the Patiala state, who established the Patiala dynasty and played a crucial role in the region's history.

Another prominent CHHATWAL was Sardar Jassa Singh CHHATWAL (1718-1783), a celebrated warrior and military leader who fought against the Afghan invaders and played a key role in the establishment of the Sikh Confederacy in the late 18th century.

In the 19th century, the CHHATWAL surname continued to be associated with influential families and individuals in the Punjab region. One notable figure was Raja Nahar Singh CHHATWAL (1858-1923), the last ruling Raja of the Kapurthala state, who was known for his progressive reforms and modernization efforts.

As the Sikh diaspora spread across the world, particularly in the 20th century, the CHHATWAL surname has become more widespread, with individuals bearing this name residing in various countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chhatwal

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

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

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

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