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

Valyan, 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 Valyan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Valyan in America

Valyan is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Valyan surname appeared 101 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 Valyan.

The history of the last name Valyan

The surname VALYAN is believed to have originated from the ancient Tamil region of southern India, with records dating back to the 7th century CE. The name is thought to be derived from the Tamil word "valai," which means "bangle" or "bracelet," suggesting a possible occupation or connection to jewelry-making among the early bearers of this name.

One of the earliest documented references to the VALYAN surname can be found in the ancient Tamil literary work "Silappadikaram," written around the 5th or 6th century CE, where it is mentioned as the name of a prominent merchant or trader. This suggests that the name may have been associated with trading and commerce in its early origins.

During the medieval period, the VALYAN surname spread to other parts of South Asia, particularly in regions under the influence of Tamil culture and trade networks. Records from the 12th century indicate the presence of individuals with this surname in the Chola Empire, which ruled over parts of modern-day Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Sri Lanka.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the VALYAN surname was Valyan Chetty, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. He is renowned for his contributions to the construction of temples and charitable institutions in the region.

Another prominent individual with the VALYAN surname was Valyan Sundara Mudaliar (1784-1855), a Tamil scholar, poet, and playwright who made significant contributions to the Tamil literary tradition. His works, such as "Nandanar Charitra," have been widely studied and appreciated.

The VALYAN surname also found its way to other parts of the world through the migration of Tamil communities during the colonial era. For instance, in the 19th century, there are records of individuals with this surname in British colonial settlements in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean, where they were involved in various trades and professions.

Notably, Valyan Ramu (1887-1963) was a prominent lawyer and politician from Singapore, who played an influential role in advocating for the rights of the Tamil community in the early 20th century.

While the VALYAN surname has its roots in southern India and is primarily associated with the Tamil culture, it has spread to other regions through migration and cultural exchange, carrying with it a rich history and legacy that spans centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Valyan

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

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

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

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