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

Maheshwari, 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 Maheshwari surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Maheshwari in America

Maheshwari is the 31285th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Maheshwari surname appeared 741 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 Maheshwari.

We can also compare 2010 data for Maheshwari 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 Maheshwari

The surname Maheshwari originated in India and traces its roots to the ancient Sanskrit language. It is believed to have derived from the word "Maheshwara," which means "the great Lord" or "the Supreme Being," referring to Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology. This surname has a strong connection to the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat in western India.

Historically, the Maheshwaris were a community of merchants and traders who played a significant role in the economic and commercial activities of the region. They were known for their expertise in textile trading, particularly in the production and export of fine silk and cotton fabrics.

The earliest recorded instances of the Maheshwari surname can be found in various medieval texts and inscriptions from the 11th to 14th centuries CE. These include references in the Prabhanda literature of Rajasthan, as well as in some local gazetteers and chronicles.

One notable historical figure bearing the Maheshwari surname was Shri Gopaldas Maheshwari, a prominent silk merchant and philanthropist who lived in the 17th century in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan. He was renowned for his generosity and contributions to various social and religious causes.

Another significant individual was Shri Nathuram Maheshwari, a renowned scholar and author who lived in the 18th century. He wrote several influential works on Hindu philosophy, astrology, and literature, including the celebrated treatise "Maheshwari Niti Shastra."

In the 19th century, Shri Motilal Maheshwari was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. He actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and was imprisoned for his activism against British rule.

During the 20th century, Shri Govindram Maheshwari made significant contributions to the field of education. He established several schools and educational institutions in Rajasthan, promoting the cause of literacy and learning among underprivileged communities.

Lastly, Shri Kesharichand Maheshwari was a renowned artist and sculptor from Gujarat, known for his intricate and exquisite stone carvings and sculptures depicting Hindu deities and mythological scenes.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who bore the Maheshwari surname throughout history, highlighting the diverse contributions of this community to various fields, including commerce, literature, social reform, education, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Maheshwari

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

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

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

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