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

Thankachan, 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 Thankachan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Thankachan in America

Thankachan is the 92358th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Thankachan surname appeared 199 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 Thankachan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Thankachan 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 Thankachan

The surname Thankachan originated in the southern Indian state of Kerala, which has a rich linguistic and cultural heritage dating back thousands of years. It is believed to have its roots in the Malayalam language, which is the primary language spoken in Kerala.

One theory suggests that the name Thankachan is derived from the Malayalam word "thanka," meaning gold or golden, and "achan," which is a respectful term used to address elders or learned individuals. This combination could indicate that the name was originally associated with people involved in the goldsmith trade or those who possessed a deep knowledge of traditional crafts and arts.

Another possible origin of the name Thankachan is linked to the ancient Hindu temple traditions of Kerala. In many temples, there were particular families or clans responsible for the maintenance, rituals, and administration of these sacred spaces. The name Thankachan may have been bestowed upon individuals belonging to such temple families, indicating their association with the temple's activities or their role as custodians of sacred knowledge.

Historical records from the medieval period in Kerala, such as the inscriptions found on temple walls and copper plates, have shown instances of the name Thankachan being used. One notable example is the mention of a person named Thankachan Ravi in a 14th-century inscription found at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

In the 16th century, a renowned scholar and poet named Thankachan Melpattur gained recognition for his contributions to Malayalam literature. His works, including the epic poem "Ramakathappattu," are considered literary treasures of the region.

During the 18th century, a prominent figure named Thankachan Parameswaran Pillai served as the Dewan (prime minister) of the Kingdom of Travancore, which was a prominent princely state in Kerala. His administrative and diplomatic skills were highly regarded, and he played a crucial role in the affairs of the kingdom.

In the 19th century, Thankachan Moothath was a revered scholar and guru in the field of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. His teachings and writings on Ayurvedic principles and practices had a lasting impact on the development of this ancient medical tradition in Kerala.

Throughout history, the name Thankachan has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, governance, and traditional knowledge systems. While the exact origin and meaning of the name may have evolved over time, it continues to hold a respected place in the cultural fabric of Kerala.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Thankachan

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

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

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

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