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

Dass, 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 Dass surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dass in America

Dass is the 18888th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dass surname appeared 1,446 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 Dass.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dass 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 Dass

The surname DASS is of Indian origin, tracing its roots back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "das," which means servant or devotee.

In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, the term "das" was often used to denote one's devotion to a higher power or deity. It was a title of respect and humility, signifying a person's spiritual inclination and dedication. The name DASS may have been adopted by individuals or families who considered themselves devoted followers of a particular religious or spiritual path.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name DASS can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It lists several individuals with the surname DASS holding positions in the imperial court or serving as local administrators.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name DASS gained prominence in various regions of northern India. Prominent figures bearing this surname include Bhai Mati Das (1661-1675), a revered Sikh martyr who sacrificed his life for his faith, and Guru Gobind Singh Das (1666-1708), the tenth and final Sikh Guru, who played a crucial role in shaping the Sikh religion.

In the 19th century, Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1824-1883), a renowned Hindu scholar and social reformer, was born Mulashankar DASS. He founded the Arya Samaj, a influential Hindu reform movement that aimed to revive the Vedic teachings and promote education and social progress.

Another notable figure was Sir Chhotu Ram DASS (1881-1945), a prominent politician and social activist from Punjab, who advocated for the rights of peasants and worked towards the upliftment of the rural population.

In more recent times, Khushwant Singh DASS (1915-2014), a renowned Indian writer, journalist, and diplomat, gained international recognition for his literary works, including his iconic novel "Train to Pakistan," which explored the tragic events surrounding the Partition of India.

The surname DASS has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, poets, politicians, and social reformers. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit roots, the name has become a part of the diverse cultural tapestry of the Indian subcontinent, representing a rich heritage of devotion, humility, and service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dass

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

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

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

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