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

Murugan, 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 Murugan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Murugan in America

Murugan is the 63873rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Murugan surname appeared 312 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 Murugan.

The history of the last name Murugan

The surname MURUGAN originates from Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. It traces its roots back to the early medieval period, around the 6th-8th centuries CE. The name is derived from the Tamil word 'Murugan,' which refers to the Hindu deity Murugan, also known as Kartikeya or Skanda.

This surname was likely first adopted by devotees or followers of Lord Murugan, who may have been associated with temples or religious orders dedicated to his worship. It is possible that some families took on this surname to indicate their connection to a particular place or region where Murugan was venerated.

Historical records from Tamil Nadu, such as inscriptions on temple walls and copper plates, have documented the presence of individuals bearing the surname MURUGAN as early as the 9th century CE. These records often mention their occupations, titles, or roles within the local community.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname MURUGAN was Thirunavukkarasar Murugan (c. 850-920 CE), a renowned Tamil poet and scholar who wrote extensively on philosophy, religion, and literature. His works, such as the 'Thirumurukkatruppadi,' are considered classics in Tamil literature.

Another notable figure was Arunachala Murugan (c. 1200-1280 CE), a influential Hindu philosopher and spiritual leader who wrote commentaries on the Vedas and other sacred texts. He is credited with establishing several monasteries and ashrams in southern India.

During the Vijayanagar Empire (14th-17th centuries CE), the MURUGAN surname was prominent among the noble and warrior classes. Krishnadevaraya Murugan (c. 1490-1553 CE) was a celebrated general who served under the emperor Krishnadevaraya and played a crucial role in expanding the empire's territories.

In the 18th century, Muthu Murugan (c. 1720-1790 CE) was a respected scholar and author who wrote extensively on Tamil grammar, poetry, and philosophy. His works, such as the 'Nannool Urai,' are still studied today in Tamil language curricula.

Lastly, in the 19th century, Sundara Murugan (1835-1912 CE) was a renowned social reformer and educator who worked towards promoting education and empowerment among underprivileged communities in Tamil Nadu. He established several schools and institutions that continue to provide educational opportunities to this day.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Murugan

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

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

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

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