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

Potnis, 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 Potnis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Potnis in America

Potnis is the 143149th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Potnis surname appeared 116 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 Potnis.

The history of the last name Potnis

The surname POTNIS is believed to have originated in India, specifically in the western state of Maharashtra. It is thought to have derived from the Sanskrit word "potni," which translates to "mistress" or "lady of the house." The name is associated with the Brahmin caste and is commonly found among families from the Konkan region along the western coast of Maharashtra.

The earliest recorded instances of the POTNIS surname can be traced back to the 16th century, when it appeared in various historical records and manuscripts from the Maratha Empire. One notable mention is in the Peshwa Daftar, a collection of administrative records from the Peshwa era, where several individuals with the POTNIS surname are listed as holding influential positions within the Maratha court.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the POTNIS surname gained prominence as several members of the family held important roles in the Maratha administration and military. One such individual was Trimbak Potnis, a renowned military commander who served under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Trimbak Potnis played a crucial role in several battles against the Mughal forces and is celebrated for his bravery and strategic acumen.

Another notable figure was Parashuram Potnis, a scholar and author who lived in the late 17th century. He is known for his work "Rajyavyavaharakosha," a comprehensive treatise on statecraft and administration, which became an influential text in the Maratha Empire.

In the 19th century, the POTNIS surname continued to be associated with scholarly pursuits and academic excellence. Vishnu Parashuram Potnis, born in 1835, was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and author who contributed significantly to the study and preservation of ancient Indian texts.

Towards the latter half of the 19th century, the POTNIS surname also gained prominence in the field of law and judiciary. Hari Sitaram Potnis, born in 1867, was a respected judge and legal scholar who served as the Chief Judge of the Bombay High Court.

Throughout history, the POTNIS surname has been associated with intellectual pursuits, administrative roles, and military leadership, reflecting the diverse contributions of individuals from this family to various aspects of Indian society and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Potnis

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

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

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

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