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

Paliwal, 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 Paliwal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Paliwal in America

Paliwal is the 80926th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Paliwal surname appeared 234 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 Paliwal.

The history of the last name Paliwal

The surname Paliwal originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the northern region of Rajasthan. It can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 12th to 16th centuries CE. The name is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Palival," which translates to "a village near a water body" or "a place surrounded by water."

During the reign of the Rajput dynasties, the Paliwals were primarily associated with agricultural and farming communities. They were known for their expertise in water management systems, such as constructing and maintaining wells, ponds, and irrigation channels. This connection to water resources is reflected in the etymology of their surname.

Historical records from the Rajput era mention notable individuals bearing the Paliwal surname. One such figure was Rao Paliwal, a military commander who served under the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar in the 15th century. His bravery and leadership were celebrated in several medieval manuscripts and ballads.

Another prominent Paliwal was Pandit Shri Nand Lal Paliwal, a revered scholar and poet who lived during the 17th century. His literary works, including the epic poem "Paliwal Charitra," shed light on the cultural traditions and values of the Paliwal community.

In the 18th century, the Paliwals played a significant role in the resistance against the Mughal Empire. Thakur Devi Singh Paliwal, a local chieftain, led a rebellion against the Mughal forces in the region of Marwar, earning him a place in the annals of Rajasthani history.

As the Paliwals migrated across various regions of India, their surname evolved with different spellings and variations. In the southern states, it was sometimes written as "Palliwal" or "Pallivala," while in the eastern parts, it appeared as "Palibala" or "Palivala."

Other notable individuals with the Paliwal surname include Vijay Singh Paliwal, a prominent Rajasthani folk singer and musician from the 19th century, and Shyama Sangeet Paliwal, a celebrated exponent of the Dhrupad style of Hindustani classical music in the 20th century.

The Paliwal surname carries a rich legacy, deeply rooted in the cultural and historical tapestry of Rajasthan and the Indian subcontinent. It serves as a testament to the community's strong ties to water management, agriculture, and their contributions to various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Paliwal

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

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

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

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