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

Khay, 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 Khay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Khay in America

Khay is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Khay surname appeared 106 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 Khay.

The history of the last name Khay

The surname KHAY is believed to have originated in India, specifically in the northern region known as Punjab. The name's origins can be traced back to the 15th century or earlier. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Kshaya," which means "diminution" or "decrease." This could suggest that the name was initially given to someone who was perceived as humble or modest.

In some historical records from the 16th and 17th centuries, the name appears with slight variations in spelling, such as "Khaye" or "Khayi." These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistent use of written scripts at the time.

One of the earliest known references to the surname KHAY can be found in a Persian manuscript dating back to the late 16th century, which mentions a merchant named Sher Khan KHAY from the city of Lahore. This document provides insight into the presence of individuals bearing this surname in the Punjab region during the Mughal Empire.

In the 18th century, the KHAY surname appeared in various land ownership records and administrative documents from the region. One notable figure was Hari Singh KHAY, a landowner and community leader born in 1725 in the village of Amritsar. He played a significant role in local affairs and was respected for his wisdom and leadership.

As the centuries progressed, members of the KHAY family dispersed across different parts of India and beyond. In the 19th century, Gurmukh Singh KHAY (1815-1892) was a prominent scholar and poet from Punjab who contributed to the preservation and promotion of Punjabi literature and culture.

Another notable figure was Harnam Singh KHAY (1870-1948), a social reformer and educator who founded several schools and institutions to promote education and empowerment among underprivileged communities in Punjab.

During the 20th century, Kapur Singh KHAY (1909-1986) was a renowned Sikh theologian and philosopher who made significant contributions to the interpretation and understanding of Sikh scriptures and teachings.

While the surname KHAY has its roots in Punjab, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. Some individuals bearing this surname have achieved recognition in various fields, such as academia, arts, and public service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Khay

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

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

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

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