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

Muthiah, 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 Muthiah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Muthiah in America

Muthiah is the 107669th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Muthiah surname appeared 165 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 Muthiah.

The history of the last name Muthiah

The surname MUTHIAH has its origins in South India, specifically in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 14th or 15th century CE. The name is derived from the Tamil word "muthali," which means "elder" or "senior," and is often used as a title of respect for elders or leaders within a community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MUTHIAH can be found in historical documents and inscriptions from the Vijayanagar Empire, which ruled over large parts of southern India between the 14th and 17th centuries. The name is associated with influential families and individuals who held prominent positions within the empire's administrative and religious institutions.

In the 16th century, the MUTHIAH surname appears in records related to the Madurai Nayak dynasty, a powerful ruling family that governed the region of Madurai and its surrounding areas. During this period, the name was closely tied to the cultural and religious life of the region, with many MUTHIAH individuals serving as scholars, poets, and patrons of the arts.

One notable figure from this era was Muthiah Mudaliar (1560-1630), a renowned Tamil scholar and poet who contributed significantly to the development of Tamil literature and philosophy. His works, such as the "Thiruvachakam" and "Navagraha Stuti," are still widely studied and celebrated today.

Another prominent individual with the MUTHIAH surname was Muthiah Pillai (1730-1795), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from the city of Madras (now Chennai). He was instrumental in establishing several educational institutions and charitable organizations, and his legacy continues to be celebrated in the region.

In the 19th century, the MUTHIAH surname gained further prominence with individuals like Muthiah Chidambaram Pillai (1840-1903), a pioneering social reformer and champion of women's rights. He played a crucial role in advocating for the abolition of practices such as child marriage and the promotion of education for women.

Over the centuries, the MUTHIAH surname has been associated with various place names and geographical locations within Tamil Nadu, such as Muthiah Nagar, Muthiah Pillai Street, and Muthiah Mudaliar Chatram (a rest house for travelers). These place names reflect the historical significance and influence of individuals bearing the MUTHIAH surname in shaping the cultural and social fabric of the region.

While the examples provided cover a broad time span, it is important to note that the MUTHIAH surname has a rich and diverse history, with countless individuals contributing to various fields, including literature, education, commerce, and social reform, throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Muthiah

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

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

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

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