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

Chariton, 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 Chariton surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Chariton in America

Chariton is the 118954th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chariton surname appeared 135 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Chariton.

The history of the last name Chariton

The surname Chariton has its origins in ancient Greece, dating back to the classical period, around the 6th century BCE. The name is derived from the Greek word charis, meaning "grace" or "kindness." It was a common term used in various contexts in Greek culture, often related to the gods and virtues. The name Chariton also appears in Greek mythology, closely associated with the Charites, also known as the Graces, who were goddesses of charm, beauty, and creativity.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname Chariton appears in historical records from the Byzantine Empire. A notable individual with this surname was Chariton of Aphrodisias (c. 1st century CE), who was an ancient Greek writer. His works, particularly the novel Callirhoe, are some of the earliest known forms of romantic literature and provide insight into the use and significance of the name during that era.

Another significant figure was Chariton the Confessor, who lived during the 3rd century CE. Born in Iconium (modern-day Konya, Turkey), he was a Christian monk and hermit renowned for his piety and asceticism. He founded several monastic communities in the Judaean Desert, most notably the Monastery of St. Chariton in the Wadi en-Natuf area near Jerusalem, which became an important center of monastic life in the region.

In the 14th century, Andreas Chariton emerged as a prominent Byzantine scholar and scribe. His meticulous work in copying and preserving ancient manuscripts played a crucial role in the transmission of classical knowledge through the turbulent periods of Byzantine history. Manuscripts bearing his name have been found in libraries across Europe, evidencing his influence and the spread of the surname during the medieval period.

Moving forward to the early modern era, Ioannis Chariton was a Greek merchant and diplomat born in the late 16th century. He was involved in trade between the Ottoman Empire and various European states, and his diplomatic efforts were instrumental in fostering economic and cultural exchanges during that time. His surname, Chariton, became associated with influential Greek families engaged in commerce and international relations.

In the 19th century, Dimitrios Chariton, born in 1822, was a notable Greek politician and intellectual. He played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence and later served in various governmental positions. His contributions to the establishment of the modern Greek state and the promotion of education and culture were widely recognized, and his surname continues to be remembered in historical accounts of Greece's nation-building efforts.

The surname Chariton has thus traveled through centuries, evolving from its ancient Greek roots and permeating various aspects of culture, religion, scholarship, and politics. Its historical references, ranging from ancient literature to Byzantine monasticism and modern statehood, highlight the enduring legacy and widespread influence of the Chariton name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chariton

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Chariton 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 Chariton was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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