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

Chockalingam, 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 Chockalingam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chockalingam in America

Chockalingam is the 117480th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chockalingam surname appeared 148 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 Chockalingam.

The history of the last name Chockalingam

The surname CHOCKALINGAM has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, with roots tracing back to the Tamil language spoken in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The name can be broken down into two components: "Chokkan," which may have derived from the Tamil word "Chokku" meaning "tribute" or "tax," and "Lingam," a revered representation of the Hindu deity Shiva.

This surname likely originated in the medieval period, when Tamil chieftains or local rulers were often bestowed with titles or surnames reflecting their authority and roles in tax collection or administration. The name CHOCKALINGAM may have been borne by individuals who held positions of authority or served as tax collectors or administrators in Tamil kingdoms or principalities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom's records from the 17th century, where a prominent figure named Chockalingam Pillai is mentioned as a trusted advisor to the Maratha king Ekoji I. Pillai was a title bestowed upon non-Brahmin administrators and officials in the Tamil region during that era.

Another notable individual bearing this surname was Chockalingam Iyengar, a renowned scholar and grammarian who lived in the 18th century. He authored several works on Tamil grammar and literature, cementing his reputation as a preeminent linguist of his time.

In the 19th century, a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer named Chockalingam Pillai played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. He hailed from the town of Tirunelveli and was a vocal advocate for women's rights and the abolition of certain social practices that discriminated against lower castes.

During the early 20th century, a celebrated Tamil writer and playwright named Chockalingam Naicker gained recognition for his literary works that explored social themes and the human condition. His plays and short stories were widely acclaimed for their insightful commentary on societal issues.

Another notable figure was Chockalingam Veeramani, a prominent trade union leader and political activist who fought for workers' rights and advocated for social justice in the latter half of the 20th century. His activism and leadership played a crucial role in shaping labor reforms and workers' movements in Tamil Nadu.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chockalingam

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

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

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

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