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

Nijhawan, 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 Nijhawan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nijhawan in America

Nijhawan is the 116829th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nijhawan surname appeared 149 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 Nijhawan.

The history of the last name Nijhawan

The surname Nijhawan has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the northern region of Punjab. The name is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "nijhava," which means "one's own place" or "homeland." This suggests that the surname might have been associated with individuals or families who were deeply rooted in their ancestral land or village.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Nijhawan can be traced back to the 16th century, during the reign of the Mughal Empire in India. Historical records from that period, such as land ownership documents and administrative records, mention individuals bearing the name Nijhawan. Some scholars believe that the name might have originated as a place name or a village name, which later became a surname.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Nijhawan was Bhai Mati Das Nijhawan, a prominent Sikh figure who lived in the late 16th century. He was a devoted follower of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, and is revered for his martyrdom in defense of the Sikh faith. His sacrifice and unwavering devotion have been chronicled in historical texts and Sikh literature.

Another notable figure with the surname Nijhawan was Bhai Mani Singh Nijhawan (1644-1737), a renowned Sikh scholar and warrior. He was appointed as the head granthi (scripture reader) of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar and played a crucial role in preserving and compiling the sacred Sikh scriptures. His contribution to Sikh literature and theology is widely recognized and celebrated.

In the 18th century, Sardar Gurmukh Singh Nijhawan (1720-1783) was a prominent military leader and commander in the Sikh army. He played a significant role in the Sikh resistance against the Afghan and Mughal invasions, and his bravery and leadership are well-documented in Sikh historical accounts.

During the 19th century, Hari Singh Nijhawan (1810-1885) was a respected poet and writer from Punjab. He authored several literary works in Punjabi and Braj Bhasha, contributing to the rich literary tradition of the region. His poetry often reflected the socio-political climate of his time and provided insights into the cultural and historical context of Punjab.

In more recent times, Dr. Inderjit Singh Nijhawan (1927-2019) was a distinguished agriculturist and scientist from India. He made significant contributions to the field of plant genetics and played a pivotal role in the Green Revolution, which helped address food security challenges in India and other parts of the world.

It is important to note that historical records and accounts may vary in their spellings and interpretations of surnames, as they were often transcribed based on oral traditions and regional dialects. The surname Nijhawan might have undergone variations in spelling or pronunciation across different regions and time periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nijhawan

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

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

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

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