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

Pallai, 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 Pallai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pallai in America

Pallai is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pallai surname appeared 112 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 Pallai.

The history of the last name Pallai

The surname PALLAI is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the southern regions of the country. It is thought to have derived from the Tamil word "pallai," which means "branch" or "twig." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals involved in agricultural or horticultural activities, perhaps working with or living near branches or twigs.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname PALLAI can be found in ancient Tamil literature, where it is mentioned in texts dating back to the Sangam period (c. 300 BCE to 300 CE). These literary works often referred to individuals by their surnames, providing valuable insights into the naming traditions of the time.

During the medieval period, the PALLAI surname appeared in various regional records and manuscripts, particularly in areas where Tamil culture and language had a strong influence. For example, the name can be found in land grant records and inscriptions from the Chola and Pandya dynasties, which ruled significant parts of southern India between the 9th and 13th centuries.

Notable individuals with the surname PALLAI include Pallai Kanakavijayam (c. 1505-1580), a renowned Tamil scholar and poet who authored several works on grammar, poetry, and philosophy. Another prominent figure was Pallai Govindha Nayakkar (1572-1646), a military commander and ruler who served under the Nayak dynasty in the Madurai region.

In the 18th century, Pallai Thandavaraya Pillai (1708-1761) was a highly respected Tamil scholar and grammarian who made significant contributions to the study and preservation of the Tamil language. His works on grammar and lexicography were widely influential.

Moving into the modern era, Pallai Narayana Iyer (1855-1932) was a prominent lawyer and social reformer who advocated for the rights of the underprivileged and campaigned against various social evils prevalent at the time. He was also a prolific writer and authored several works on social and legal issues.

Throughout history, the surname PALLAI has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, poets, rulers, and social activists. While the name's origins can be traced back to ancient times, it continues to be a prevalent surname in southern India, particularly among Tamil communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pallai

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

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

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

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