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

Tulu, 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 Tulu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tulu in America

Tulu is the 123796th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tulu surname appeared 139 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 Tulu.

The history of the last name Tulu

The surname TULU has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Karnataka. This name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century CE. It is derived from the Tulu language, which is spoken predominantly in the coastal regions of Karnataka and parts of Kerala.

TULU is thought to be an ancient Dravidian name, with its roots traced back to the Tulu-speaking communities inhabiting the western coastal regions of India. The Tulu language itself is closely related to other Dravidian languages such as Kannada and Malayalam, and the name may have been a designation or occupational term used within these communities.

Historical references to the name TULU can be found in various ancient manuscripts and inscriptions from the region. One notable example is the Kadambas of Banavasi, a Kannada-speaking dynasty that ruled parts of Karnataka and Goa between the 4th and 6th centuries CE. Some records from this period mention individuals with variations of the name, such as "Tuluva" or "Tulunadu."

The earliest recorded instances of the surname TULU date back to the 13th or 14th century CE. During this time, the Vijayanagar Empire, one of the most powerful Hindu empires in South India, ruled over a vast territory that included present-day Karnataka. Records from this period mention individuals with the surname TULU, indicating their connection to the Tulu-speaking regions under the empire's control.

One notable figure bearing the surname TULU was Govinda Tulu, a prominent scholar and poet who lived in the 16th century CE. He is renowned for his contributions to Kannada literature and is considered one of the leading figures of the Navya movement, a literary renaissance in Karnataka.

Another historical figure with the surname TULU was Narahari Tulu, a celebrated scholar and astrologer who lived in the 17th century CE. He authored several works on astrology and astronomy, which were widely studied and referenced in his time.

In the realm of arts and culture, Shambhu Tulu, a celebrated Yakshagana artist and playwright from the 18th century CE, is remembered for his contributions to the traditional theatre form of Karnataka. Yakshagana is a unique blend of dance, music, and drama, and Shambhu Tulu's compositions and performances are still revered today.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Kudmull Tulu, a renowned philanthropist and social reformer from the TULU community. He played a significant role in promoting education and social welfare initiatives in the region, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many.

Throughout its history, the surname TULU has also been associated with various place names and geographical locations in the coastal regions of Karnataka, such as Tuluva, Tulunadu, and Tulu Nadu, reflecting the deep-rooted connection between the name and the region's cultural identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tulu

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

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

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

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