Rajput last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Rajput

A surname indicating members of the Hindu warrior and ruling class.

Rajput, 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 Rajput surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rajput in America

Rajput is the 27021st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rajput surname appeared 897 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 Rajput.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rajput 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 27021 43463 -46.65%
Count 897 468 62.86%
Proportion per 100k 0.30 0.17 55.32%

The history of the last name Rajput

The surname "RAJPUT" is of Indian origin, specifically from the northern and central regions of the subcontinent. It traces its roots back to the medieval era, around the 6th to 12th centuries CE. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "rajaputra," which translates to "son of a ruler" or "prince." It was initially used to refer to the warrior class or nobility in various Hindu kingdoms and princely states across the region.

The Rajputs were known for their valor, chivalry, and adherence to a strict code of honor and conduct. They played a significant role in the politics and military campaigns of the time, often serving as rulers, generals, and soldiers. The name Rajput became associated with their status and lineage, reflecting their claim to royal ancestry or connections to ruling dynasties.

Historical references to the Rajputs can be found in various medieval texts, such as the Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem chronicling the life and exploits of the legendary Rajput ruler Prithviraj Chauhan. The name Rajput is also mentioned in Persian and Arabic accounts of the period, reflecting the interactions and conflicts between the Rajput warriors and the Muslim rulers who invaded and established sultanates in parts of India.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Rajput can be traced back to the 8th century CE, when the Rajput clans established their dominance in the regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of modern-day Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Notable Rajput rulers from this era include Bappa Rawal, the founder of the Mewar dynasty, and Maharana Pratap Singh, who fought against the Mughal Empire in the 16th century.

Over time, the surname Rajput became associated with various sub-clans and gotras (lineages), each with their own illustrious histories and traditions. Some of the most prominent Rajput clans include the Sisodias, Rathores, Chauhans, Bundelas, and Tomars, among others.

Throughout history, several notable individuals bore the surname Rajput, including:

  1. Prithviraj Chauhan (1166-1192 CE), a Rajput ruler of the Chauhan dynasty who fought against the invading armies of Muhammad Ghori.
  2. Rana Sanga (1482-1528 CE), the legendary Rajput ruler of Mewar who led a coalition of Rajput rulers against the Mughal forces of Babur.
  3. Maharana Pratap Singh (1540-1597 CE), the famous Rajput ruler of Mewar who resisted the Mughal expansion and fought against Akbar.
  4. Man Singh I (1550-1614 CE), a celebrated Rajput general and military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
  5. Sawai Man Singh II (1770-1843 CE), the Rajput ruler of Jaipur who allied with the British East India Company and played a significant role in the Anglo-Maratha Wars.

The surname Rajput continues to be widely used across various regions of India, particularly in the northern and central states, reflecting the enduring legacy and influence of this warrior class on the country's history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rajput

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

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 Rajput was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 3.57% 32
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 91.75% 823
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 2.34% 21
Hispanic Origin 1.34% 12

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 Rajput has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 3.57% 3.21% 10.62%
Black (S)% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 91.75% 77.99% 16.21%
American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)% (S)%
Two or More Races 2.34% 15.17% -146.54%
Hispanic 1.34% 3.21% -82.20%

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

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

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"Rajput last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 21, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/rajput-surname-popularity/.

"Rajput last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/rajput-surname-popularity/. Accessed 21 November, 2024

Rajput last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/rajput-surname-popularity/.

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