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

Merai, 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 Merai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Merai in America

Merai is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Merai surname appeared 102 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 Merai.

The history of the last name Merai

The surname Merai is believed to have originated in the northern regions of India, specifically in the states of Punjab and Haryana. Its roots can be traced back to the 16th century or even earlier. The name Merai is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "meru," which means "high or elevated," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name may have lived in hilly or mountainous areas.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Merai can be found in the Mughal Empire's official registers, known as the "Ain-i-Akbari," compiled during the reign of Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. This document contains references to individuals bearing the name Merai, indicating their presence in the region at that time.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Merai surname appeared in various administrative records and manuscripts maintained by local rulers and officials in northern India. These records often documented land ownership, tax records, and other official matters, providing insight into the social and economic status of families bearing this surname.

One notable individual with the surname Merai was Sardar Bahadur Merai Singh, a prominent landowner and military leader from Punjab who lived in the late 18th century. He played a significant role in the region's affairs during the tumultuous period of the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of the Sikh Empire.

Another historical figure was Rai Bahadur Merai Chand, a renowned businessman and philanthropist from Haryana who lived in the 19th century. He contributed significantly to the development of educational institutions and social welfare initiatives in his local community.

In the early 20th century, Dr. Merai Lal Gupta, a distinguished physician and medical researcher, made significant contributions to the field of tropical medicine. He was born in 1892 in Punjab and dedicated his life to studying and treating tropical diseases that plagued many parts of India.

The surname Merai has also been associated with various place names in northern India, such as Merai Village in Punjab and Merai Tanda in Haryana. These place names may have been derived from the surname itself or vice versa, reflecting the deep-rooted connection between the name and the region.

While the surname Merai is not as common as some other Indian surnames, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Merai

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

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 Merai 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.

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

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

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