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

Silwal, 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 Silwal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Silwal in America

Silwal is the 130610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Silwal surname appeared 130 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 Silwal.

The history of the last name Silwal

The surname SILWAL has its origins in Nepal, with records indicating it first appeared in the 14th century. The name is derived from the Nepali word "silā," meaning stone, and the suffix "-wal," signifying someone associated with or involved in a particular trade or profession. Thus, SILWAL likely referred to individuals who worked with stone, such as stonemasons, quarry workers, or sculptors.

One of the earliest known references to the SILWAL name can be found in a manuscript detailing the construction of the Boudhanath Stupa, a renowned Buddhist monument in Kathmandu Valley, during the reign of the Malla kings in the late 14th century. The manuscript mentions several stonemasons with the surname SILWAL who were involved in the stupa's construction.

In the 16th century, the SILWAL name appeared in a land ownership record from the Patan Durbar Square area, indicating that some members of the family had become landowners or officials during this period. This record also provides insight into the various spellings of the name, such as "Silwalu" and "Silwara," which were likely regional variations.

One notable figure in Nepali history bearing the SILWAL surname was Kavi Silwal (1765-1835), a renowned poet and playwright who made significant contributions to the literary tradition of Nepal during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His works, including the famous play "Harishchandra Natak," are still widely studied and performed today.

Another prominent SILWAL was Bhimsen Silwal (1833-1895), a military commander who played a crucial role in the unification of Nepal under the Gorkha dynasty. He served as the governor of the western region and was instrumental in quelling several revolts against the central authority.

In the 20th century, Hari Silwal (1920-1998) was a respected educator and writer who authored several textbooks and literary works in the Nepali language. He was also actively involved in promoting education and literacy in Nepal, particularly in rural areas.

Ganesh Silwal (1947-2021) was a renowned architect and urban planner who played a significant role in shaping the modern landscape of Kathmandu Valley. He was responsible for designing numerous iconic buildings and monuments, including the Dharahara Tower, which was tragically destroyed in the 2015 earthquake.

Throughout its history, the SILWAL surname has been associated with various professions and contributions to Nepali society, including the arts, military, education, and architecture, reflecting the diverse roles and accomplishments of individuals bearing this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Silwal

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

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

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

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