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

Wagh, 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 Wagh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wagh in America

Wagh is the 80131st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wagh surname appeared 237 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 Wagh.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wagh 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 Wagh

The surname WAGH is of Indian origin, tracing its roots back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, particularly in the regions around Pune and Ahmednagar. The name WAGH is derived from the Marathi word 'vagh', which translates to 'tiger'.

In ancient Hindu mythology, the tiger was revered as a symbol of strength, courage, and valor. It is likely that the WAGH surname was initially adopted by warriors or individuals known for their bravery and fearlessness, akin to the characteristics of a tiger. Some historians suggest that the name may have been bestowed upon those who displayed exceptional hunting skills or prowess in confronting wild tigers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the WAGH surname can be found in the Bakhars, a collection of historical chronicles from the Maratha Empire. These texts mention several notable figures bearing the WAGH name, including Maloji Naik Wagh, a military commander who served under the legendary Maratha ruler Shivaji in the 17th century.

Another prominent figure from the past was Sardar Wagh Raje, a Maratha nobleman and military leader who played a crucial role in the battles against the Mughal Empire in the late 17th century. His bravery and strategic acumen earned him a place in the annals of Maratha history.

During the 18th century, the WAGH surname gained further prominence with the rise of the Peshwa administration in the Maratha Empire. Sadashiv Rao Wagh, born in 1725, was a respected administrator and diplomat who served under the Peshwas and is credited with successful negotiations with the British East India Company.

In more recent times, Maj. Gen. Kiran Narsappa Wagh, who was born in 1937 and served in the Indian Army, is remembered for his distinguished military career and his role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Another notable figure is Vijay Wagh, a renowned Indian classical singer and composer who has made significant contributions to the Hindustani music tradition. He was born in 1944 and has received numerous accolades for his artistic achievements.

While the WAGH surname has its roots in Maharashtra, over the centuries, it has spread to other parts of India, and individuals bearing this name can be found in various regions of the country.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wagh

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

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

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

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