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

Kayastha, 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 Kayastha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kayastha in America

Kayastha is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kayastha surname appeared 142 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 Kayastha.

The history of the last name Kayastha

The surname "KAYASTHA" has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern region of the country. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "kayastha," which means "scribe" or "writer." It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, between the 5th and 12th centuries AD.

The Kayasthas were traditionally employed as scribes and record-keepers in the administrative systems of various kingdoms and empires that ruled over different parts of India. They played a crucial role in maintaining official records, managing accounts, and overseeing administrative tasks.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Kayastha community can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative manual commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This document describes the Kayasthas as a respected and influential group within the imperial bureaucracy.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Kayastha. One of the most prominent figures was Raja Todar Mal (c. 1530-1589), who served as the finance minister under Akbar's reign. He is credited with implementing an efficient revenue system and land reforms that benefited the Mughal Empire.

Another influential Kayastha was Munshi Sadruddin Khan Dehlavi (1617-1693), a scholar, historian, and author who served as a minister in the court of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. His work, known as the "Waqai Ni'mat Khan Ali," provides valuable insights into the socio-political landscape of the Mughal era.

In the realm of literature, Mirza Mohammad Rafi Sauda (1713-1781) was a renowned Urdu poet and calligrapher from the Kayastha community. His poetic works, particularly his ghazals, have been widely acclaimed and studied.

During the British colonial period, several Kayasthas held important positions in the administrative services. One notable figure was Sir Saiyid Ahmad Khan (1817-1898), a philosopher, educator, and social reformer who advocated for modern education and influenced the Muslim renaissance in India.

Another prominent Kayastha individual was Sir Ganga Ram (1851-1927), a civil engineer and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of modern Lahore (now in Pakistan) through his architectural and urban planning projects.

While the Kayastha surname has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, individuals bearing this name can now be found in various parts of the world, reflecting the diaspora of the community over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kayastha

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

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

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

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