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

Patel, 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 Patel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Patel in America

Patel is the 95th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Patel surname appeared 229,973 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 78 people would have the surname Patel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Patel 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 Patel

The surname Patel originated in India and is derived from the Sanskrit word "Pati," which means "headman" or "village chief." The name is most commonly associated with the Patidar community, a group of landowners and farmers from the Indian state of Gujarat.

In ancient times, the Patel surname was given to those who held positions of authority and leadership within their respective villages. These individuals were responsible for overseeing the village's affairs, resolving disputes, and ensuring the well-being of the community.

The earliest known references to the Patel surname can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in various historical texts and records from the Gujarat region. One notable example is the Navanathabhushan, a Sanskrit text written in the late 12th century, which mentions several individuals with the Patel surname.

During the medieval period, the Patel surname gained prominence as the Patidar community played a significant role in the agricultural and economic development of Gujarat. The surname was associated with landowners and influential figures who wielded considerable power and influence within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Patel surname was Rajaram Patel, a prominent landowner and community leader who lived in the 14th century. He was known for his contributions to the development of irrigation systems and agricultural practices in the region.

Another notable figure was Ranchhodji Patel, a 17th-century landowner and philanthropist who established several educational institutions and temples in Gujarat. His legacy continues to be celebrated by the Patel community to this day.

In the 19th century, the Patel surname gained further recognition with the rise of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a prominent freedom fighter and one of the key figures in India's struggle for independence. Born in 1875, Sardar Patel played a pivotal role in uniting the princely states of India and is widely regarded as the "Iron Man of India."

Other notable individuals with the Patel surname include Natwarlal Patel, a celebrated Indian painter born in 1928, and Ramanbhai Patel, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist who lived from 1921 to 2010.

Over time, the Patel surname has spread across India and beyond, with members of the Patidar community settling in various parts of the world. While the name retains its strong connection to the Gujarati heritage, it has become a recognizable surname globally, representing the rich cultural and historical significance of its origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Patel

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

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

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

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