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

Sandhu, 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 Sandhu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sandhu in America

Sandhu is the 4900th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sandhu surname appeared 7,190 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Sandhu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sandhu 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.

The history of the last name Sandhu

The surname Sandhu originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the Punjab region. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 10th to 12th centuries. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Shandu," which means "a bull" or "a powerful person." It is closely related to the Punjabi word "Sandh," which also means "a bull."

In the early days, the Sandhu surname was commonly associated with the Jat community, a prominent agricultural and landowning group in Punjab. The Jats were known for their valor and martial prowess, and the name Sandhu was likely adopted to symbolize strength and courage.

Historical records indicate that the Sandhu clan played a significant role in the region's history. They were involved in various battles and skirmishes, particularly during the times of the Mughal Empire and the subsequent rise of the Sikh Empire. Several notable warriors and leaders bore the Sandhu surname during these periods.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Sandhu name can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document compiled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The text mentions several Sandhu chieftains and their territories in the Punjab region.

In the 17th century, the renowned Sikh warrior Bhai Maha Singh Sandhu gained prominence for his bravery and unwavering commitment to the Sikh cause. He fought against the Mughal forces and played a crucial role in the defense of the Sikh faith.

Another notable figure from history is Sardar Sham Singh Sandhu, a prominent leader during the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century. He served as a respected military commander and played a vital role in the expansion and consolidation of the Sikh territories.

During the British Raj, several Sandhu individuals made their mark in various fields. One such figure was Sir Sundar Singh Sandhu, who was born in 1858 and served as a distinguished civil servant in the British Indian administration.

In the literary realm, Gurdial Singh Sandhu, born in 1919, was a celebrated Punjabi novelist and short story writer. His works explored the complexities of rural life in Punjab and earned him widespread acclaim.

Over the centuries, the Sandhu surname has been carried by numerous individuals who have made significant contributions to various spheres, including politics, literature, and social reform movements.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sandhu

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

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 Sandhu 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Sandhu has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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