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

Waqas, 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 Waqas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Waqas in America

Waqas is the 140157th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Waqas surname appeared 119 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 Waqas.

The history of the last name Waqas

The surname Waqas has its origins in South Asia, specifically in the region that is now modern-day Pakistan. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 10th or 11th century AD. The name is derived from the Arabic word "waqas," which means "dignity" or "grandeur."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Waqas can be found in the writings of Persian poets and scholars from the 11th and 12th centuries. These poets often used poetic names or pen names, and Waqas was one such name adopted by several poets of that era.

In the 13th century, during the Delhi Sultanate period, the name Waqas gained prominence as it was used by members of the nobility and ruling class. Historical records from this time mention several individuals with the surname Waqas serving as administrators, military commanders, and advisors to the sultans.

One notable figure from this period was Waqas al-Din, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in Delhi during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish (1211-1236 AD). His works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and philosophy, were widely celebrated and have been preserved in various manuscripts.

In the 16th century, during the Mughal Empire, the surname Waqas continued to be associated with individuals of high social standing. One prominent example is Waqas Khan, a powerful nobleman and military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556-1605 AD). Waqas Khan played a crucial role in several military campaigns and was awarded numerous titles and lands for his service.

Another notable individual was Mir Waqas Ali, a renowned poet and calligrapher who lived in the 17th century. His works, which were highly praised for their beauty and artistry, are still studied and appreciated by scholars and connoisseurs of calligraphy today.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Waqas was also associated with several influential figures in the region. For instance, Waqas Ali Khan was a prominent statesman and diplomat who served as the ambassador of the Mughal Empire to several European courts during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707 AD).

In more recent times, the surname Waqas has continued to be prevalent in Pakistan and other parts of South Asia. Several notable individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions in various fields, such as literature, politics, and academia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Waqas

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

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

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

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