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

Nijjer, 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 Nijjer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nijjer in America

Nijjer is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nijjer surname appeared 111 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 Nijjer.

The history of the last name Nijjer

The surname NIJJER is believed to have originated in the Indian state of Punjab, where it was likely derived from the Punjabi word "nijjer," meaning "personal" or "individual." This name is thought to have its roots in the 16th to 18th centuries, during the reign of the Mughal Empire in northern India.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name NIJJER can be found in the historical records of the Sikh Empire, which ruled over parts of modern-day India and Pakistan from the late 18th to the mid-19th century. These records mention several individuals with the surname NIJJER who held prominent positions within the Sikh military and administrative ranks.

During the British colonial period in India, the NIJJER surname was also documented in various official records and censuses. Several notable individuals with this surname emerged during this time, including Bhai Vir Singh Nijjer (1872-1957), a renowned Sikh theologian, scholar, and writer who played a significant role in the revival of Punjabi literature and the promotion of Sikhism.

Another notable bearer of the NIJJER surname was Sardar Khushwant Singh Nijjer (1915-2014), a prolific Indian writer, journalist, and diplomat. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in Indian literature and was best known for his novels, short stories, and historical works that explored the complexities of Indian society and culture.

In the realm of sports, Kartar Singh Nijjer (1905-1977) was a distinguished Indian field hockey player who represented British India at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, where the team won a gold medal. He later served as the captain of the Indian hockey team and played a crucial role in the development of the sport in the country.

Another prominent figure with the NIJJER surname was Harbhajan Singh Nijjer (1920-1983), an Indian politician and social reformer. He served as a member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament, and was actively involved in various social and educational initiatives, particularly in his home state of Punjab.

While the NIJJER surname has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical significance and cultural relevance of this name remain deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Punjabi and Indian heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nijjer

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

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

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

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