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

Kuruvila, 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 Kuruvila surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kuruvila in America

Kuruvila is the 145220th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kuruvila surname appeared 114 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 Kuruvila.

The history of the last name Kuruvila

The surname Kuruvila has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the southwestern region of Kerala. It is thought to have originated as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a small hillock or mound. The name is derived from the Malayalam words 'kuru', meaning 'small hillock' or 'mound', and 'vila', meaning 'hamlet' or 'village'.

Historically, the Kuruvila surname has been associated with the Nair community of Kerala, a significant social group known for their martial traditions. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to ancient inscriptions and palm-leaf manuscripts from the region, dating back several centuries.

One notable figure bearing the Kuruvila surname was Kuruvila Panikkasseril, a celebrated Nair warrior who lived in the late 16th century. He is remembered for his heroic exploits in defending the Kingdom of Cochin against the Portuguese invaders. Another notable individual was Kuruvila Kalathingal, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in the 17th century and authored several works in Malayalam literature.

In the 18th century, a branch of the Kuruvila family migrated to the Malabar region of Kerala, where they established themselves as influential landowners and traders. One prominent member of this branch was Kuruvila Smaraka Mukan, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who lived in the late 1700s and funded the construction of several temples and educational institutions in the area.

During the 19th century, the Kuruvila surname gained further prominence with the rise of the Nair community's influence in various fields, including politics, education, and social reform. One notable figure from this era was Kuruvila Kesava Pillai, a respected lawyer and writer who played a significant role in the renaissance of Malayalam literature and championed social causes.

Another prominent bearer of the Kuruvila surname was Kuruvila Krishnan Unnithan, a renowned scholar and educator who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He authored several books on Malayalam grammar and literature and served as the principal of prestigious educational institutions in Kerala.

Throughout its history, the Kuruvila surname has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including warriors, scholars, writers, and community leaders. While its origins can be traced back to the southwestern region of Kerala, the name has since spread to various parts of India and beyond, carried by individuals of Nair descent and others who have adopted the surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kuruvila

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

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

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

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