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

Dolkar, 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 Dolkar surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dolkar in America

Dolkar is the 73005th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dolkar surname appeared 266 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 Dolkar.

The history of the last name Dolkar

The surname Dolkar originates from the Himalayan region of South Asia, particularly in the areas that are now part of Bhutan, Nepal, and the Indian states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. It is a Tibetan name that likely emerged around the 7th or 8th century CE during the height of the Tibetan Empire.

Dolkar is derived from the Tibetan words "dol" meaning "banner" or "flag," and "kar" meaning "maker" or "bearer." It is believed to have been an occupational surname initially given to individuals who were responsible for carrying or making flags or banners, which held significant importance in Tibetan Buddhist traditions and ceremonies.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dolkar can be found in the Dunhuang manuscripts, a cache of ancient documents discovered in the early 20th century in the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China. These manuscripts date back to the 8th and 9th centuries and contain references to individuals with the surname Dolkar, indicating its usage during the Tibetan Empire's expansive period.

Notable historical figures with the surname Dolkar include Tenzin Dolkar (1919-2012), a Tibetan Buddhist nun and teacher who played a vital role in preserving Tibetan Buddhist teachings and practices. Another prominent individual was Lhamo Dolkar (1935-2002), a Tibetan activist and writer who fought for the independence of Tibet and raised awareness of human rights issues.

In the realm of literature, Tsering Dolkar (1919-1964) was a renowned Tibetan writer and poet whose works explored themes of love, loss, and the preservation of Tibetan culture. Sonam Dolkar (1925-1991), on the other hand, was a revered Tibetan singer and musician who helped to popularize traditional Tibetan folk music.

Lastly, Pema Dolkar (1940-2018) was a respected Tibetan academic and scholar who made significant contributions to the study and preservation of Tibetan language and literature. She served as the director of the Tibetan Language Institute in Dharamshala, India, and authored numerous publications on Tibetan linguistics and culture.

While the surname Dolkar has its roots in the Himalayan region, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and connection to Tibetan culture and traditions remain deeply ingrained in its meaning and origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dolkar

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

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

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

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