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

Tharayil, 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 Tharayil surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tharayil in America

Tharayil is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tharayil surname appeared 105 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 Tharayil.

The history of the last name Tharayil

The surname Tharayil originated in the Indian state of Kerala, located in the southwestern region of the country. It is believed to have emerged during the 10th or 11th century CE, a period when many family names were established in the region. The name Tharayil is derived from the Malayalam language, which is spoken by the majority of the population in Kerala.

Tharayil is a locative surname, meaning it originally referred to a specific place or locality. In this case, it is believed to be derived from the Malayalam word "tharavadu," which means a large family homestead or ancestral house. The suffix "-il" indicates a place or location, suggesting that the name Tharayil likely referred to a family or group of people who lived in or were associated with a particular tharavadu or ancestral homestead.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Tharayil can be found in the Sangam literature, a collection of ancient Tamil literature dating back to the early centuries CE. While the exact references are scarce, some scholars believe that variations of the name, such as "Tharavadu" or "Tharavu," appeared in these literary works, indicating the existence of the name and its association with prominent families or households.

In the 14th century, during the reign of the Kolathiri Rajas, a powerful dynasty that ruled parts of present-day Kerala, several records and inscriptions mention individuals with the surname Tharayil. These records suggest that the Tharayil family held significant positions and influence within the Kolathiri kingdom.

One notable figure from this period was Ravi Tharayil, a prominent scholar and diplomat who served as an emissary for the Kolathiri Rajas in their dealings with neighboring kingdoms. He was born in the late 13th century and is believed to have played a crucial role in facilitating cultural and trade exchanges between the Kolathiri kingdom and other regions.

Another prominent individual with the surname Tharayil was Kesavan Tharayil, a renowned mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 16th century. He made significant contributions to the development of the Malayalam calendar system and is credited with improving the accuracy of astrological calculations.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Tharayil family maintained its influence and presence in various parts of Kerala. Records from this period indicate that members of the family held positions of authority in local administration, education, and religious institutions.

One notable figure from this era was Unni Tharayil, a revered scholar and poet who was born in the late 17th century. He is renowned for his contributions to Malayalam literature, particularly in the field of devotional poetry. His works, which often explored themes of spirituality and devotion, have been widely studied and celebrated in Kerala.

In the 19th century, the Tharayil family continued to play a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of Kerala. Govinda Tharayil, born in 1812, was a prominent writer and social reformer who advocated for the advancement of education and the emancipation of marginalized communities.

While the surname Tharayil has a long and rich history, it is important to note that these accounts are based on historical records and literary sources, which may not always be comprehensive or entirely accurate. Nevertheless, the name Tharayil remains an integral part of Kerala's cultural heritage, reflecting the region's diverse linguistic and social traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tharayil

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

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

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

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