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

Koli, 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 Koli surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Koli in America

Koli is the 86314th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Koli surname appeared 216 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 Koli.

We can also compare 2010 data for Koli 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 Koli

The surname KOLI has its origins in India, where it first emerged in the 16th century. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "koli," which refers to a community of farmers and fishermen found primarily in the western and central regions of the Indian subcontinent. The name was initially associated with these communities, particularly those residing in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KOLI surname can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This document mentions the Koli community and their occupations, providing valuable insights into their historical presence and significance.

In the 17th century, the KOLI surname gained prominence with the rise of a notable figure, Kanhoji Angre (1669-1729), a influential naval commander and leader of the Maratha Empire. Angre hailed from the Koli community and played a crucial role in establishing naval supremacy along the western coast of India, defending the region against European colonial powers.

Another prominent individual bearing the KOLI surname was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950), a prominent leader during India's independence movement and the first Deputy Prime Minister of independent India. Patel, who was born in Gujarat, came from a Koli family and was instrumental in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union.

In the field of literature, the KOLI surname has been associated with the renowned Marathi poet and writer, Bahinabai Chaudhari (1880-1951). Chaudhari, who hailed from a Koli family in Maharashtra, made significant contributions to Marathi literature and highlighted the struggles and experiences of the Koli community through her works.

The name KOLI has also been linked to various place names and locations across India. For instance, the village of Koli in Rajasthan and the Koli region in Gujarat derive their names from the Koli community that inhabited these areas historically.

Overall, the surname KOLI has a rich history rooted in the Indian subcontinent, spanning centuries and encompassing individuals from diverse walks of life, including political leaders, literary figures, and military commanders. Its origins can be traced back to the Koli community, which has played a significant role in shaping the cultural and social fabric of various regions in India.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Koli

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

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

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

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