Dheel
A surname of Indian origin meaning a drummer or singer.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Dheel. That puts it at #135,593 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Dheel surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#135,593
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
124
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 124 bearers of the surname Dheel in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 135593rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Dheel, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Dheel
The surname DHEEL originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically the Punjab region. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "dheel," which means "slow" or "sluggish." This name likely originated during the medieval period.
The earliest recorded instances of the name DHEEL can be traced back to the 16th century in various Persian and Mughal records. It is thought that the name was initially given to individuals who exhibited a calm or leisurely demeanor.
One of the earliest known individuals with this surname was Bhai Dheel Singh, a prominent Sikh scholar and poet who lived in the late 16th century. He is renowned for his contributions to Sikh literature and his poetic works, which are still widely studied and revered.
During the Mughal era, the name DHEEL appeared in several administrative records, indicating that individuals with this surname held various positions within the Mughal government and bureaucracy.
In the 18th century, a notable figure named Dheel Ram emerged as a prominent trader and merchant in the city of Lahore. He was known for his successful business ventures and his involvement in the local community.
Another individual of historical significance was Dheel Chand, a renowned artist and calligrapher who lived in the 19th century. His intricate works of art and calligraphy adorned many palaces and temples throughout the region.
In more recent times, Dheel Singh Kolhi, a Punjabi folk singer and musician, gained popularity for his contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Punjabi music. He was born in 1932 and passed away in 2012, leaving behind a rich musical legacy.
The name DHEEL has also been associated with various place names and localities within the Punjab region, such as Dheel Nagar and Dheel Khurd, further solidifying its historical roots in the area.
Over the centuries, the surname DHEEL has undergone various spelling variations, including Dhil, Dheel, and Dheela, reflecting the regional linguistic diversity and cultural influences.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Dheel
Among Census respondents with the surname Dheel, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%.
The bar chart below shows how Dheel bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Dheel surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.8%
- Unknown or suppressed3.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Dheel surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #142,819 | #135,593 | 5.1% |
| Count | 107 | 124 | 15.9% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Dheel bearers went from 107 to 124 (+15.9% change). The surname moved up 7,226 positions in the national ranking, going from #142,819 to #135,593.
FAQ
Dheel surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Dheel?
The surname Dheel holds position #135,593 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Dheel surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Dheel, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.