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

Rayam, 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 Rayam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rayam in America

Rayam is the 146201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rayam surname appeared 113 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 Rayam.

The history of the last name Rayam

The surname RAYAM has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the southern regions of India. It is derived from the Tamil word "Rayar," which refers to a community of people who were traditionally engaged in agricultural and pastoral activities. The earliest recorded instances of this surname can be traced back to the 12th century CE.

During the medieval period, the RAYAM surname was predominantly found in the regions of present-day Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka. It is believed that the name was initially associated with individuals who belonged to the Rayar community and held prominent positions within their respective villages or regions.

One of the earliest historical references to the RAYAM surname can be found in the inscriptions of the Chola dynasty, which ruled a significant portion of southern India between the 9th and 13th centuries CE. These inscriptions often mentioned individuals with the RAYAM surname, suggesting their involvement in various administrative and economic activities during that era.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the RAYAM surname was Krishnappa Rayam (1515-1589), a military commander who served under the Vijayanagar Empire. His exploits and leadership during various battles against rival kingdoms are well-documented in historical records of that time.

Another prominent individual with the RAYAM surname was Venkatadri Rayam (1674-1742), a renowned scholar and poet who made significant contributions to the field of Telugu literature. His works, such as the "Rayavacakamu" and "Haravilasamu," are widely studied and celebrated to this day.

In the 19th century, Ramachandra Rayam (1825-1892) was a prominent figure in the field of education in southern India. He established several schools and educational institutions, advocating for the widespread promotion of literacy and knowledge.

The RAYAM surname has also been associated with various place names in southern India, such as Rayampettai and Rayamangalam, which further reinforces its historical and geographical roots in the region.

While the RAYAM surname has its origins in India, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, the richness of its historical and cultural roots can be traced back to the southern regions of the Indian subcontinent, where it has held significance for centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rayam

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

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

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

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