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

Mowla, 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 Mowla surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mowla in America

Mowla is the 98553rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mowla surname appeared 184 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 Mowla.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mowla 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 Mowla

The surname Mowla originated in Bengal, a region of the Indian subcontinent that is now predominantly part of Bangladesh. It is derived from the Arabic word "mawla," which means "lord" or "master." The name likely emerged in the 12th or 13th century during the Islamic conquest and subsequent rule of the region by Muslim dynasties.

Mowla is closely associated with the ruling elite and aristocracy of medieval Bengal. It was often used as a title of respect and honor bestowed upon influential individuals, particularly those with close ties to the ruling class or religious authorities. The earliest known records of the name can be found in various historical texts and manuscripts from the region, such as the chronicles of the Sultans of Bengal and the writings of Islamic scholars.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Mowla was Mowla Alaul Haq, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in the 14th century. He was widely respected for his expertise in Islamic law and theology and served as a judge and advisor to the Sultan of Bengal.

Another notable figure was Mowla Bakhtiar Khilji, a military commander who played a pivotal role in the Muslim conquest of Bengal in the late 12th century. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield earned him the title "Mowla," which was later adopted as a surname by his descendants.

In the 16th century, Mowla Chand Khan, a prominent nobleman and military leader, served as the governor of Bengal under the Mughal Empire. His administrative and military prowess helped solidify Mughal rule in the region, and his descendants continued to hold influential positions in the Mughal court.

During the 18th century, Mowla Hussain Khan, a wealthy landowner and philanthropist, was known for his charitable works and patronage of education and cultural institutions in Bengal. He established several mosques, madrasas (Islamic schools), and libraries, leaving a lasting legacy in the region.

Mowla Shamsul Ulama, a renowned Islamic scholar and poet, lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His literary works, particularly his poetry in Persian and Arabic, were widely acclaimed and studied across the Indian subcontinent and beyond.

While the surname Mowla was initially associated with the ruling class and elite of Bengal, over time it spread to other parts of South Asia and became more widely adopted by Muslims from various backgrounds. The name continues to hold significant cultural and historical significance in the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mowla

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

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

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

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