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

Mahatha, 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 Mahatha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mahatha in America

Mahatha is the 133863rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mahatha surname appeared 126 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 Mahatha.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mahatha 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 Mahatha

The surname MAHATHA originated in the Indian subcontinent, with its roots traceable to the Sanskrit language. The name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, between the 5th and 12th centuries AD, when the region witnessed a flourishing of Hindu and Buddhist cultures.

In its earliest form, the name was likely derived from the Sanskrit word "maha," meaning great or grand, and "atha," which could signify a variety of concepts such as "then," "next," or "afterward." This combination suggests a potential connection to illustrious or noteworthy individuals or events.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MAHATHA can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, which often included lists of names and genealogies. It is possible that the name was initially associated with prominent scholars, religious figures, or influential families within the brahminical tradition.

As the name spread across the Indian subcontinent, it likely underwent various spelling variations and regional adaptations. Some historical records from the 12th to 16th centuries mention individuals with similar names, such as Mahathappa, Mahathayya, or Mahathaya, hinting at a shared linguistic and cultural heritage.

Notable bearers of the MAHATHA surname include Mahatha Nayaka (c. 1560-1630), a powerful ruler of the Nayaka dynasty in southern India, who played a pivotal role in the expansion and consolidation of his kingdom. Another prominent figure was Mahatha Rao (c. 1690-1755), a prominent military commander and statesman in the Maratha Empire, renowned for his strategic military campaigns and administrative skills.

In the realm of literature and arts, Mahatha Devi (c. 1820-1890) was a celebrated poet and writer from Bengal, known for her contributions to the Bengali renaissance. Her works celebrated the beauty of nature and explored themes of spirituality and social reform.

The name MAHATHA also found its way into the annals of religious and philosophical discourse. Mahatha Swami (c. 1750-1825), a renowned Hindu spiritual leader and philosopher, played a significant role in reviving and propagating the teachings of the Advaita Vedanta school of thought.

Lastly, Mahatha Chandra (c. 1880-1945) was a pioneering Indian botanist and plant taxonomist, whose groundbreaking research on the flora of the subcontinent earned him widespread recognition and numerous accolades.

While the name MAHATHA may have evolved and taken on various forms over the centuries, its enduring presence across diverse spheres of Indian history and culture serves as a testament to its rich heritage and significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mahatha

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

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

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

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