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

Chean, 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 Chean surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chean in America

Chean is the 139228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chean surname appeared 120 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 Chean.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chean 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 Chean

The surname CHEAN has its origins in the British Isles, specifically in the Celtic regions of Scotland and Ireland. This name likely derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "ceann," meaning "head" or "chief," suggesting that the original bearer may have held a position of authority or leadership in their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the CHEAN surname can be traced back to the 16th century Scottish Highlands, where it appeared in various historical records and documents. The name was particularly prevalent in the regions of Argyll and the Western Isles, known for their rich Gaelic heritage.

In Scotland, the CHEAN name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Chean, born in 1687 in Islay, an island off the west coast of Scotland. He was a prominent landowner and played a significant role in local politics during his lifetime.

Another notable bearer of the CHEAN surname was Robert Chean, born in 1732 in Argyll. He was a respected scholar and author, known for his works on Scottish history and culture. His book, "The Highlands and Their People," published in 1784, is considered a seminal work on the subject.

In Ireland, the CHEAN surname is believed to have evolved from the Irish Gaelic name "O'Cathain," which means "descendant of Cathain." This name was particularly common in the northern counties of Ulster, where it was associated with several prominent families.

One remarkable individual with the CHEAN surname in Ireland was Michael Chean, born in 1768 in County Antrim. He was a celebrated poet and playwright, known for his works that celebrated Irish culture and language. His play, "The Bard of Ulster," premiered in 1802 and was widely acclaimed for its depiction of Irish folklore and traditions.

Another notable Irish bearer of the CHEAN surname was Margaret Chean, born in 1822 in County Down. She was a pioneering educator who established one of the first schools for girls in Belfast, providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children in the city.

While the CHEAN surname has its roots in the Celtic regions of the British Isles, it has since spread to various parts of the world through emigration and diaspora. However, its rich history and cultural significance remain deeply rooted in the traditions and legacies of Scotland and Ireland.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chean

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

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

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

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