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

Gurung, 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 Gurung surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gurung in America

Gurung is the 9427th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gurung surname appeared 3,450 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Gurung.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gurung 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 Gurung

The surname Gurung is believed to have its origin in Nepal, where it is a prominent surname among the Gurung people, an ethnic group native to the hilly regions of central Nepal. The name is thought to derive from the Tibetan words "go-rung," meaning "proud of the cow."

The Gurung people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries. Their name first appeared in ancient manuscripts and records from the medieval era, with some of the earliest known mentions found in Nepalese chronicles from the 14th and 15th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Gurung was Sirijunga Gurung, a prominent military leader who served under the Nepalese king in the late 17th century. He played a key role in defending the kingdom against invasions and is celebrated in Nepalese history for his bravery and strategic prowess.

Another notable figure with the Gurung surname was Bhakti Thapa Gurung, a renowned poet and writer who lived during the 19th century. His works, which celebrated the Gurung culture and traditions, are considered significant contributions to Nepalese literature.

In the 20th century, Dhan Bahadur Gurung gained fame as a respected educator and social reformer. He dedicated his life to improving educational opportunities for the Gurung community and advocating for their rights and representation.

The name Gurung has also been associated with several prominent military figures. Dhan Singh Gurung, a highly decorated soldier, served in the British Indian Army during World War II and received numerous honors for his valor and leadership.

Bel Bahadur Gurung, another renowned military figure, was a Gurkha soldier who fought in both World Wars. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor in the British Empire, for his exceptional bravery and gallantry during the Battle of Sittang Bridge in World War II.

Throughout history, the Gurung surname has been closely tied to the Nepalese hills and mountains, reflecting the Gurung people's strong connection to their ancestral homeland. While variations in spelling and pronunciation may exist, the name's roots can be traced back to the rich cultural heritage of this remarkable ethnic group.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gurung

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

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

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

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