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

Makhija, 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 Makhija surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Makhija in America

Makhija is the 77788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Makhija surname appeared 246 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 Makhija.

We can also compare 2010 data for Makhija 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 Makhija

The surname MAKHIJA originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the northern regions of the country. It is believed to have its roots in the Sanskrit language, where "Makh" means "mother's lineage" or "maternal ancestry." The suffix "-ija" is commonly added to surnames in several Indian languages, indicating a belonging or association with a particular group or community.

The earliest records of the MAKHIJA surname can be traced back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when it appeared in various historical documents and records maintained by the local rulers and administrators of the time. One notable mention of the name can be found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative manual commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, which documented the names of prominent families and individuals.

The MAKHIJA surname is often associated with the Khatri community, a group of traders and merchants who played a significant role in the economic and cultural fabric of northern India. The name is particularly prevalent in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, where the Khatri community had a strong presence.

Throughout history, several individuals with the MAKHIJA surname have made notable contributions in various fields. One such individual was Hari Ram Makhija (1877-1954), a renowned Indian lawyer and freedom fighter who played an active role in the Indian independence movement. Another prominent figure was Devi Datt Makhija (1892-1961), a distinguished educationist and social reformer who worked tirelessly to promote education and uplift marginalized communities.

In the realm of literature, Joginder Singh Makhija (1920-1987) was a celebrated Punjabi writer and poet, known for his vivid depictions of rural life and the struggles of the common people. Manmohan Makhija (1935-2009) was a respected journalist and author who wrote extensively on international affairs and global politics.

Another notable figure was Jagdish Chandra Makhija (1919-2005), a pioneering engineer and scientist who made significant contributions to the development of nuclear technology in India. He played a crucial role in the country's nuclear energy program and was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of the highest civilian honors in India.

While the MAKHIJA surname has its roots in the northern regions of India, it has since spread to other parts of the country and even to other countries around the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, the name continues to hold a strong connection to its historical and cultural origins, serving as a testament to the rich diversity and heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Makhija

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

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

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

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