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

Tupai, 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 Tupai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tupai in America

Tupai is the 156044th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tupai surname appeared 104 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 Tupai.

The history of the last name Tupai

The surname Tupai is believed to have originated in the Malay Archipelago, specifically in Indonesia and Malaysia. It is likely derived from the Malay word "tupai," which means "squirrel." This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a nickname or derived from an occupation related to squirrels or their habitats.

The earliest known records of the surname Tupai can be traced back to the 16th century in the region of Java, Indonesia. During this time, the name appeared in various historical documents and records, such as land deeds and tax records. Some of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Tupai include Raden Tupai (born c. 1530), a local chieftain in the Sultanate of Demak, and Nyai Tupai (fl. 1570), a prominent batik trader in the city of Yogyakarta.

In the 17th century, the name Tupai began to spread to other parts of the Malay Archipelago, including the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. This was likely due to the movement of people and the expansion of trade networks in the region. One notable figure from this period was Tun Tupai (c. 1625-1690), a Malay warrior and leader who played a significant role in the defense of the Johor Sultanate against Portuguese and Acehnese invaders.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Tupai continued to be found in various parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. In the 19th century, a prominent individual bearing this name was Haji Tupai (1825-1895), a successful businessman and landowner from Riau, Sumatra. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and the construction of several mosques and schools in the region.

Another notable figure was Nuraishah Tupai (1895-1976), a renowned Malay writer and journalist who played a crucial role in the development of modern Malay literature. Her works, which often explored themes of social justice and women's rights, had a significant impact on the literary landscape of the time.

While the surname Tupai has its roots in the Malay Archipelago, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. For example, there are individuals with the surname Tupai living in countries such as Singapore, Australia, and the United Kingdom, where they may have ancestral connections to the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tupai

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

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

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

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