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

Phuntsok, 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 Phuntsok surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Phuntsok in America

Phuntsok is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Phuntsok surname appeared 142 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 Phuntsok.

The history of the last name Phuntsok

The surname PHUNTSOK has its origins in the Tibetan language and culture, tracing back to the 7th century CE in the region of the Tibetan Plateau. It is derived from the Tibetan words "phun" meaning "excellent" or "sublime," and "tsok" meaning "accumulation" or "gathering." The name is believed to have been initially bestowed upon individuals who demonstrated exceptional spiritual attainments or achieved great spiritual merit.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name PHUNTSOK appears in the Tibetan Buddhist manuscript known as the "Bardo Thodol," or the "Tibetan Book of the Dead," dating back to the 8th century CE. This ancient text, which provides guidance for the deceased during the intermediate state between death and rebirth, mentions a revered spiritual master known as Phuntsok Tashi.

During the 11th century, a prominent figure named Phuntsok Gyalpo was renowned for his contributions to the establishment of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was instrumental in the construction of several monasteries and the preservation of sacred texts.

In the 13th century, a celebrated Tibetan Buddhist master, Phuntsok Shakya Zangpo (1223-1287), gained recognition for his teachings and writings on the Vajrayana traditions. His works, such as the "Ornament of the Precious Essence," have been widely studied and revered by scholars and practitioners alike.

The name PHUNTSOK also appears in the lineage of the Dalai Lamas, the spiritual and political leaders of Tibet. The 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617-1682), had a renowned teacher named Phuntsok Tenzin Chokyi Gyalpo (1567-1662), who played a significant role in guiding and shaping the young Dalai Lama's spiritual development.

Another noteworthy figure bearing the name PHUNTSOK was Phuntsok Wangyal (1822-1891), a prominent Tibetan scholar and translator who contributed significantly to the preservation and dissemination of Buddhist teachings. He was renowned for his translations of important texts from Sanskrit into Tibetan, ensuring their accessibility to future generations.

Throughout the centuries, the surname PHUNTSOK has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to the spiritual, intellectual, and cultural realms of Tibetan society. It remains a respected name, reflecting the noble ideals of spiritual excellence, wisdom, and the pursuit of enlightenment.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Phuntsok

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

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

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

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