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

Ponnusamy, 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 Ponnusamy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ponnusamy in America

Ponnusamy is the 116829th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ponnusamy surname appeared 149 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 Ponnusamy.

The history of the last name Ponnusamy

The surname Ponnusamy has its origins in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where it first emerged during the medieval period. It is a combination of two Tamil words - "ponnu," meaning gold, and "samy," referring to a god or deity. This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals associated with the worship or service of a particular temple or deity revered in the region.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Ponnusamy can be traced back to the 12th century, during the reign of the Chola dynasty. It is believed that the name was initially borne by members of the priestly class or those involved in the upkeep and maintenance of sacred temples. As such, the name carried a sense of prestige and reverence within the local community.

One of the earliest known references to the name Ponnusamy can be found in the inscriptions on the walls of the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 11th century. These inscriptions document the names of various individuals involved in the temple's construction and administration, including several individuals bearing the surname Ponnusamy.

Over the centuries, the name Ponnusamy has been associated with several notable figures in Tamil society. One such individual was Ponnusamy Thevar, a prominent leader and social reformer from the early 20th century, who fought against the oppressive caste system and advocated for the rights of marginalized communities in Tamil Nadu. He was born in 1882 and played a significant role in the Dravidian movement that sought to uplift the non-Brahmin communities in the region.

Another notable bearer of the name was Ponnusamy Natesan, a celebrated Tamil writer and journalist who lived from 1894 to 1963. He was a prolific author, known for his contributions to Tamil literature and his efforts in promoting social reform through his writings. His works often addressed issues of caste discrimination and advocated for the empowerment of marginalized communities.

In the field of education, Ponnusamy Karthikeyan, born in 1936, was a renowned academician and administrator who served as the Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University from 1990 to 1996. He was widely respected for his contributions to the field of chemistry and his efforts in promoting academic excellence in Tamil Nadu.

Ponnusamy Kalaimani, born in 1946, was a prominent Tamil film actor and comedian, known for his performances in several popular movies during the latter half of the 20th century. His comedic timing and ability to portray diverse characters endeared him to audiences across Tamil Nadu and beyond.

The name Ponnusamy has also been associated with various place names in Tamil Nadu, particularly in regions where the name was historically prevalent. For example, the village of Ponnusamy Nagar in the Tiruvannamalai district bears the name, reflecting the historical presence of individuals with this surname in the area.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ponnusamy

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

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

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

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