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

Philavong, 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 Philavong surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Philavong in America

Philavong is the 96368th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Philavong surname appeared 189 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 Philavong.

We can also compare 2010 data for Philavong 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 Philavong

The surname Philavong has its origins in Laos, a country located in Southeast Asia. It is believed to have emerged during the late 18th or early 19th century, derived from the Lao language. The name is composed of two elements: "phila," which may be connected to the word "phit," meaning "wrong" or "incorrect," and "vong," which means "round" or "circle."

Historically, Laos was influenced by various cultural and linguistic factors, including those from neighboring Thailand and Cambodia. As a result, many Lao surnames reflect this blend of influences. The Philavong surname is no exception, bearing traces of both Lao and Thai linguistic roots.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Philavong surname can be found in the "Annals of Luang Prabang," a historical chronicle documenting the events and rulers of the Luang Prabang Kingdom, a prominent principality in what is now modern-day Laos. These annals, dating back to the late 18th century, reference a prominent figure named Kham Philavong, who held a high-ranking position within the royal court.

Another notable individual bearing the Philavong surname was Thao Philavong (1890-1967), a prominent Lao politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Laos from 1954 to 1956. He played a crucial role in the country's transition to independence from French colonial rule.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Philavong surname was closely associated with the town of Savannakhet, located in southern Laos. This region was known for its thriving silk trade and cultural heritage. Several prominent families with the Philavong surname were influential in the local community and played a significant role in preserving the traditions and customs of the area.

Another notable figure was Khamphao Philavong (1920-2008), a renowned Lao writer and poet who made significant contributions to the literary landscape of Laos. His works often explored themes of national identity, cultural heritage, and the complexities of the human experience.

Lastly, Khamphoui Philavong (born 1958) is a contemporary Lao artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited internationally. Her creations, often inspired by traditional Lao motifs and symbols, have garnered widespread acclaim and have contributed to the preservation and promotion of Lao cultural heritage.

While the Philavong surname is deeply rooted in Lao history and culture, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the rich tapestry of Southeast Asian history, where it has played a role in shaping the cultural and societal fabric of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Philavong

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

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

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

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