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

Ly, 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 Ly surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ly in America

Ly is the 1176th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ly surname appeared 29,891 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 10 people would have the surname Ly.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ly 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 Ly

The surname Ly has its origins in the ancient Vietnamese language. It is derived from the Vietnamese word "ly," which means "separate" or "detached." The name first emerged in the northern regions of Vietnam during the 11th century, particularly in the areas surrounding the capital city of Thang Long, now known as Hanoi.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ly can be found in the historical chronicles of the Ly Dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from 1009 to 1225. During this period, the Ly family held the throne, and their name became closely associated with the ruling class and nobility. The most notable figure from this dynasty was Ly Thanh Tong, a revered emperor who reigned from 1054 to 1072 and was known for his efforts in promoting Buddhism and cultural development.

In the 13th century, the Ly surname gained further prominence with the birth of Ly Tu Trong (1230-1310), a renowned Confucian scholar and philosopher. His writings and teachings had a profound impact on Vietnamese literature and intellectual thought during the Tran Dynasty.

As the Ly family dispersed throughout Vietnam over the centuries, the surname evolved into various spellings and regional variations. In some areas, it was written as "Li" or "Lý," while in others, it took on forms like "Lê" or "Lý Trần."

One of the most famous individuals bearing the Ly surname was Ly Thuong Kiet (1019-1105), a revered general and military strategist who played a crucial role in the Ly Dynasty's defense against the Mongol invasions in the 13th century. His tactics and leadership during the Battle of Bach Dang River in 1288 are celebrated as a defining moment in Vietnam's struggle for independence.

Another notable figure was Ly Cong Uan (1870-1941), a prominent scholar and reformist who advocated for Vietnamese independence from French colonial rule. He was a leading figure in the Dong Du movement, which promoted the modernization of Vietnam through educational and cultural reforms.

Throughout history, the Ly surname has been carried by various Vietnamese families across different regions and social strata. While it originated among the nobility and ruling class, it has since become a common surname found among people from all walks of life, reflecting the rich tapestry of Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ly

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

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

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

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