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

Khanal, 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 Khanal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Khanal in America

Khanal is the 24934th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Khanal surname appeared 997 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 Khanal.

The history of the last name Khanal

The surname KHANAL originated in Nepal, a country located in South Asia. Its roots can be traced back to the 14th century, when it was primarily used by families residing in the central and western regions of the country.

The name KHANAL is believed to have derived from the ancient Nepali word "khanal," which referred to a person responsible for managing and maintaining royal granaries or storehouses. This occupation held significant importance in the agrarian societies of the time, as it ensured the secure storage and distribution of grains and other essential food supplies.

Historical records from the Malla period (1201-1768 CE) in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley mention individuals bearing the KHANAL surname. One notable figure was Khanal Thapa, a prominent military commander and governor who served under the Malla kings in the 16th century.

In the 18th century, the KHANAL surname gained further prominence during the unification of Nepal by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Several members of the KHANAL family played crucial roles in the military campaigns and administrative affairs of the newly consolidated Nepali state.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KHANAL surname can be found in the genealogical records of the Basnyat family, a prominent clan of the Khas ethnic group in Nepal. These records mention a Khanal Basnyat, who lived in the mid-17th century and served as a high-ranking official in the court of the Malla kings.

Throughout the centuries, the KHANAL surname has been associated with several notable figures in Nepali history. Here are five examples:

1. Bhimsen Khanal (1775-1839), a prominent military leader and statesman during the reign of King Rana Bahadur Shah.
2. Dharma Bhakta Mathema Khanal (1801-1865), a renowned poet and writer who contributed significantly to the development of Nepali literature.
3. Bam Bahadur Khanal (1865-1947), a respected scholar and educator who played a vital role in establishing modern education in Nepal.
4. Bishweshwar Prasad Khanal (1914-1988), a prominent lawyer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Nepal from 1983 to 1986.
5. Pushpa Kamal Khanal (born 1950), a veteran politician and former Prime Minister of Nepal, who held office from 2011 to 2012.

The surname KHANAL continues to be widely used in Nepal, particularly among families with roots in the central and western regions of the country. It has become a symbol of the rich cultural heritage and historical significance associated with the management of vital resources in the country's agrarian past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Khanal

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

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

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

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