Chano last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Chano

A Spanish surname indicating someone from the town of Chanos in Spain.

Chano, 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 Chano surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chano in America

Chano is the 128249th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chano surname appeared 133 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 Chano.

The history of the last name Chano

The surname Chano originates from Spain, specifically the Basque region in the northern part of the country. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is likely derived from the Basque word "txano," which means "hat" or "cap," potentially referring to an occupation or nickname associated with a distinctive headwear.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Chano surname can be found in the Becerro Galicano de las BehetrĂ­as de Castilla, a medieval document dating back to the 14th century. This document contained records of land ownership and taxation in the region of Castile. The name is also mentioned in various municipal archives and church records from the Basque provinces during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Notable individuals bearing the Chano surname include Juan Chano (c. 1490-1560), a Spanish navigator and explorer who participated in several expeditions to the Americas during the early colonial period. Another prominent figure was Miguel Chano (1620-1689), a Basque architect and stonemason who contributed to the construction of several churches and public buildings in the Basque Country.

In the 17th century, the Chano family established a presence in the Americas, with Juan Chano (1635-1712) being one of the early settlers in New Spain (present-day Mexico). His descendants played a role in the development of various towns and communities in the region.

Moving forward to the 18th century, Pedro Chano (1710-1782) was a renowned Basque shipbuilder who designed and constructed several vessels for the Spanish Navy. His son, José Chano (1745-1818), followed in his footsteps and became a respected naval architect and engineer.

Another notable figure was Ignacio Chano (1785-1856), a Spanish military officer who fought in the Peninsular War against the French invasion. He later served as a governor in several provinces of Spain and was recognized for his leadership and bravery.

It is important to note that the spelling and pronunciation of the Chano surname may have varied slightly over the centuries, reflecting regional dialects and linguistic influences. However, the core meaning and origins of the name remain rooted in the Basque culture and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chano

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

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 Chano was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 6.02% 8
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 27.82% 37
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 3.76% 5
Hispanic Origin 60.15% 80

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

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

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"Chano last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 29, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/chano-surname-popularity/.

"Chano last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/chano-surname-popularity/. Accessed 29 August, 2025

Chano last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/chano-surname-popularity/.

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