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

Paulraj, 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 Paulraj surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Paulraj in America

Paulraj is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Paulraj surname appeared 122 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 Paulraj.

The history of the last name Paulraj

The surname PAULRAJ is of Indian origin, specifically from the Tamil-speaking regions of southern India. It is believed to have originated during the medieval period, around the 9th to 12th centuries CE.

The name PAULRAJ is a combination of two Tamil words – "Paul," which means "flower," and "Raj," meaning "king" or "ruler." It is likely that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who held positions of authority or were associated with floral cultivation or trade.

In ancient Tamil literature and inscriptions, variations of the name can be found, such as "Pauvarajar" or "Pauvarajan," which translate to "king of flowers" or "flower ruler." These early references suggest that the name had significance and was used to denote a person's profession or social standing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name PAULRAJ can be traced back to the 12th century CE, when a chieftain named Paulraj Vellalar was mentioned in the Kongu Nattu Vamsavali, a historical record of the Kongu region in present-day Tamil Nadu.

During the medieval period, the name PAULRAJ was associated with several notable individuals. In the 14th century, Paulraj Naicker, a prominent landowner and military commander, played a crucial role in the battles against the Vijayanagar Empire. Another figure, Paulraj Mudaliar, was a renowned scholar and poet who contributed significantly to Tamil literature in the 16th century.

Over the centuries, the name PAULRAJ has been carried by various individuals from diverse backgrounds. One notable bearer was Paulraj Vijayasarathy, a 17th-century Tamil scholar and grammarian who authored several works on Tamil grammar and poetics.

In the 18th century, Paulraj Narayanan, a celebrated poet and playwright, left a lasting impact on Tamil literature with his works that explored themes of love, devotion, and philosophy.

During the 19th century, Paulraj Kalidas Nadar, a prominent social reformer and educator, played a pivotal role in establishing educational institutions and promoting the upliftment of marginalized communities in southern India.

While the name PAULRAJ has its roots in Tamil culture, it has also been adopted by other communities across India, indicating its widespread acceptance and recognition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Paulraj

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

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

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

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