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

Pakala, 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 Pakala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pakala in America

Pakala is the 93921st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pakala surname appeared 195 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 Pakala.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pakala 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 Pakala

The surname PAKALA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, primarily in the regions of South India. The earliest known records of this surname date back to the 12th century CE, during the era of the Chola and Pandya dynasties that ruled over parts of modern-day Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The name PAKALA is derived from the Tamil word "pakalai," which means "dawn" or "early morning." This suggests that the surname may have been initially associated with occupations or activities related to the early hours of the day, such as farmers, traders, or those who worked at dawn.

One of the earliest known references to the PAKALA surname can be found in the inscriptions and copper plate grants issued by the Chola kings during their reign between the 9th and 13th centuries CE. These inscriptions often recorded land grants, tax exemptions, and other royal decrees, sometimes mentioning individuals with the PAKALA surname.

In the 14th century, the PAKALA surname appears in the historical records of the Vijayanagar Empire, which ruled over a significant portion of southern India. During this period, several individuals bearing this surname held prominent positions in the royal court or served as administrators in various regions.

One notable figure from this era was Pakala Narasimha Reddy (c. 1350-1415), a renowned military commander and chieftain who served under the Vijayanagar rulers. He played a crucial role in the empire's expansion and was widely respected for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

Another prominent individual with the PAKALA surname was Pakala Venkata Krishnayya (1672-1743), a renowned scholar and poet who made significant contributions to Telugu literature. He authored several literary works, including the epic poem "Jaimini Bharatam," which retold the story of the Mahabharata in Telugu verse.

In the 18th century, the PAKALA surname gained prominence in the region of Andhra Pradesh, where several families held influential positions in local governance and administration under the Nizam of Hyderabad's rule.

One such notable figure was Pakala Venkata Rao (1765-1828), a renowned statesman and diplomat who served as the Dewan (Prime Minister) of the Nizam's court. He was instrumental in negotiating treaties and maintaining diplomatic relations with the British East India Company during a crucial period in Indian history.

As the centuries passed, the PAKALA surname spread across various regions of South India, with families bearing this name contributing to various fields, including literature, arts, politics, and education. While the name's origins can be traced back to Tamil Nadu and the early medieval period, its legacy has become interwoven with the rich cultural tapestry of the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pakala

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

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

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

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