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

Manickam, 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 Manickam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Manickam in America

Manickam is the 60636th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Manickam surname appeared 332 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 Manickam.

We can also compare 2010 data for Manickam 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 Manickam

The surname "MANICKAM" is of Indian origin and can be traced back to the Tamil Nadu region of South India. It is believed to have emerged during the early medieval period, around the 7th or 8th century CE. The name is derived from the Tamil word "manikam," which means "ruby" or "precious stone." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals involved in the gemstone trade or those who possessed exceptional wealth or status.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in ancient Tamil literary works, such as the Sangam literature, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE. These works mention individuals with variations of the name, such as "Manikavasagar" and "Manikkavasagar," who were revered Tamil saints and poets.

In the 9th century CE, a prominent scholar and mystic named Manikkavachaka, also known as Manikkavachakar, played a significant role in the Bhakti movement and is renowned for his literary work, the "Tiruvachakam." His influence and contributions to Tamil literature and spirituality have left a lasting impact on the region's cultural heritage.

During the Chola Empire, which ruled over large parts of South India between the 9th and 13th centuries CE, the surname "MANICKAM" gained prominence. Records from this period indicate that individuals with this name held positions of importance, such as ministers, advisors, and administrators in the royal court.

In the 16th century, a Tamil scholar and grammarian named Manickavasakar authored several influential works on Tamil grammar and literature, further solidifying the name's association with erudition and intellectual pursuits.

Over the centuries, various spellings and variations of the name have emerged, including "Manickam," "Manikam," "Manikar," and "Manikkan," reflecting regional dialects and linguistic influences.

While not as widely known beyond the Tamil regions, the surname "MANICKAM" has been carried by several notable individuals throughout history, such as:

1. C. Manickavasakam (1876-1954), a prominent Indian lawyer and politician who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.

2. V.T. Manickam (1935-2020), an Indian actor and playwright who contributed significantly to Tamil theater and cinema.

3. M.G. Manickam (born 1946), an Indian politician and former member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

4. S. Manickam (born 1968), an Indian cricketer who played for the Tamil Nadu state team and represented India in the 1990s.

5. K.S. Manickam (born 1959), an Indian entrepreneur and the founder of the Sakthi Group, a leading manufacturer of automotive components.

These examples illustrate the diverse fields and professions in which individuals with the surname "MANICKAM" have made significant contributions, reflecting the name's enduring presence and historical significance within the Tamil cultural landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Manickam

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

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

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

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