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

Chhokar, 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 Chhokar surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chhokar in America

Chhokar is the 151532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chhokar surname appeared 108 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 Chhokar.

The history of the last name Chhokar

The surname CHHOKAR traces its origins to the Indian subcontinent, specifically the region of Punjab. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Punjabi word "chhokra," which means "boy" or "young man." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or a descriptive term for a young person or a son.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the CHHOKAR surname can be found in the Mughal imperial records from the 16th century. These records mention individuals bearing this name who served as soldiers or administrators under the Mughal rulers. In particular, a man named Chhokar Khan is mentioned as a military commander during the reign of Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, who ruled from 1556 to 1605.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the CHHOKAR surname became more widespread in Punjab, particularly in the regions of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala. Several individuals with this surname were involved in various occupations, including agriculture, trade, and military service under the Sikh Empire and later the British Raj.

One notable figure from this period was Sardar Chhokar Singh, a prominent military leader in the Sikh army during the early 19th century. He played a crucial role in several battles against Afghan invaders and the British forces during the Anglo-Sikh Wars.

Another individual of historical significance was Bhai Chhokar Singh, a Sikh preacher and religious scholar who lived in the late 18th century. He was known for his devotion to the Sikh faith and his efforts in promoting education and social reforms in Punjab.

In more recent times, Dr. Kartar Singh Chhokar, born in 1914 and died in 1996, was a renowned educationist and writer. He authored several books on Punjabi literature and culture and served as the principal of Khalsa College in Amritsar, a prestigious educational institution in Punjab.

Additionally, Surjit Singh Chhokar, born in 1945, was a prominent figure in the Punjabi literary world. He was a prolific writer and poet who contributed significantly to the promotion of Punjabi language and literature, receiving numerous awards and accolades for his work.

The CHHOKAR surname, while originating in Punjab, has since spread to other parts of India and beyond, as people migrated and settled in different regions. However, its roots remain deeply embedded in the cultural and historical fabric of the Punjab region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chhokar

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

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

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

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