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

Durai, 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 Durai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Durai in America

Durai is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Durai surname appeared 100 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 Durai.

The history of the last name Durai

The surname DURAI has its origins in the Tamil language spoken in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is believed to have derived from the ancient Tamil word "Thuravi," which means "wealthy" or "prosperous." The name is commonly associated with the Vellalar caste, a prominent land-owning and agricultural community in Tamil Nadu.

During the medieval period, the DURAI surname was found in various historical records and inscriptions from the region. One notable reference is in the Chola Empire inscriptions from the 9th to 13th centuries, where individuals with this surname are mentioned as landowners and influential figures.

The earliest recorded example of the DURAI surname can be traced back to the 12th century, where a person named Sundara DURAI is mentioned in a copper plate inscription from the Chola dynasty. This inscription details land grants and privileges bestowed upon him.

Another notable individual with this surname was Thirumalaidas DURAI, a prominent scholar and poet who lived during the 16th century. He is renowned for his contributions to Tamil literature and his work on the traditional Tamil grammar treatise, "Nannul."

In the 18th century, Muthu DURAI, a military commander and chieftain, played a significant role in the resistance against the British East India Company's expansionist policies in Tamil Nadu. He is remembered for his bravery and leadership in defending the region's independence.

During the 19th century, Ramasamy DURAI, a social reformer and pioneer in the Indian independence movement, worked tirelessly to promote education and uplift the marginalized communities in Tamil Nadu. He established several schools and institutions, leaving a lasting impact on the region's educational landscape.

Towards the latter part of the 19th century, Srinivasa DURAI, a renowned lawyer and jurist, made significant contributions to the development of Indian jurisprudence. He served as a judge in the Madras High Court and is remembered for his legal acumen and fair judgments.

While the DURAI surname has its roots in Tamil Nadu, it has spread across various parts of India and the world due to migration and diaspora. However, the historical records and references mentioned above provide insights into the surname's rich heritage and its association with influential individuals throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Durai

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

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

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

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