Search 1950 US Census & Historical Records for "Patel"
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Patel
Meaning: Village headman, landowner, keeper of records
Ancestral homeland: India (South Asia). Starting letter: P.
The surname "Patel" is of Indian origin, meaning "Village headman, landowner, keeper of records". In the United States, it ranks #174 in frequency with an estimated 145,000 individuals, predominantly living in California, Texas, New Jersey. Historically, Derived from "Patlik" or "Pata" (land record scroll).
Historical Roots & Etymology
Derived from "Patlik" or "Pata" (land record scroll). Historically given to the executive chief or village headman who owned land and supervised tax registers in Gujarat and Western India.
As an Occupational surname, the patronymic or occupational title reflects cultural traditions preserved across centuries. Ancient parish registers, civil census returns, and municipal tax rolls document early branches of the Patel family adapting their spelling and pronunciation across migrations.
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How Common is the Surname Patel in the US?
#174
Top US Surnames145,000
American residents435.4
per 1 Million people+14.2%
US Census cycleTop US States by Patel Population Density % of all US bearers
American Immigration Manifests & Ports of Arrival
Immigration records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) trace primary waves of Patel families arriving in the United States during the Post-1965 Immigration and Nationality Act.
Global Geographic Distribution & Diaspora
Historical records trace prominent lineages of the Patel family across these major worldwide regions:
Notable Historical Figures & Bearers of "Patel"
Celebrated individuals carrying the surname Patel with distinction across civic governance, literature, science, and industry:
Historical Spelling Variants
Before standardized spelling conventions in the 19th century, civil census enumerators recorded multiple phonetically related variants:
Frequently Asked Questions about Patel
Expert answers to common questions about names, origins, and naming traditions
The surname Patel originates from Indian heritage and traditionally translates to "Village headman, landowner, keeper of records". Historically, it was adopted as an occupational marker to signify clan lineage, professional craft, or geographic homeland.
According to United States Census Bureau records, Patel ranks as the #174 most common surname in America, carried by an estimated 145,000 people (435.4 occurrences per million residents). The highest concentrations are found in California (24.5%), Texas (18.2%), New Jersey (16.8%), New York (12.4%), Illinois (8.6%).
Major waves of families carrying the name Patel arrived in North America during the Post-1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. The primary historical ports of entry recorded in immigration manifests include New York (JFK), Chicago (O’Hare), Newark, Atlanta.
Notable individuals with the surname Patel include Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Iron Man of India), Dev Patel (Actor), Priti Patel (British Politician), recognized for their contributions in history, governance, arts, and science.
Recorded historical spelling variations and regional cognates of Patel include Patil, Pattar.
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Surname Fast Facts
- Origin / Demonym
- Indian
- Ancestral Nation
- 🇮🇳 India
- Classification
- Occupational
- US Frequency Rank
- #174
- Est. US Population
- ~145,000
- Primary US State
- California
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