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

Rangoonwala, 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 Rangoonwala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rangoonwala in America

Rangoonwala is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rangoonwala surname appeared 103 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 Rangoonwala.

The history of the last name Rangoonwala

The surname Rangoonwala originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region around the city of Rangoon, now known as Yangon, the capital of Myanmar (formerly Burma). This name is believed to have emerged around the 16th or 17th century, during the height of maritime trade between India and Southeast Asia.

The name Rangoonwala is derived from the combination of the place name "Rangoon" and the Persian suffix "-wala," which means "belonging to" or "associated with." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname were likely traders or merchants who had connections to Rangoon, either through business or residence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rangoonwala can be found in the archives of the British East India Company, which established a trading post in Rangoon in the early 17th century. Several merchants with this surname are mentioned in the company's records, indicating their involvement in the lucrative spice and textile trade between India and Burma.

In the 18th century, a prominent Rangoonwala family established themselves as successful traders and landowners in the region around Rangoon. One notable member was Mirza Mohammad Rangoonwala (1725-1795), who amassed a considerable fortune through his trading ventures and became a respected figure in the local community.

As the British Empire expanded its influence in the region, the Rangoonwala name began to appear in various colonial records and documents. Rahim Rangoonwala (1810-1875) was a respected merchant and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of Rangoon's infrastructure and contributed to the establishment of several educational institutions.

Another notable figure bearing this surname was Fatima Rangoonwala (1865-1940), a pioneering woman who defied social conventions of her time and established herself as a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of women in the region.

In the 20th century, the Rangoonwala family dispersed across various parts of the Indian subcontinent and beyond, with many members pursuing careers in fields such as law, medicine, and academia. One such individual was Dr. Akbar Rangoonwala (1920-2005), a renowned physician and researcher who made significant contributions to the field of infectious diseases.

While the name Rangoonwala may not be as prevalent today as it once was, it remains a part of the rich cultural tapestry of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, serving as a reminder of the vibrant history of trade and migration that shaped the region's diverse communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rangoonwala

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

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

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

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