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

Chess, 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 Chess surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chess in America

Chess is the 16481st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chess surname appeared 1,743 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Chess.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chess 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 Chess

The surname CHESS has its roots in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from the Old English word "cers" or "chers," meaning a meadow or pasture land.

One of the earliest documented references to the name CHESS can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1275, which mentions a John de la Chers. This suggests that the name was initially associated with a place or locality bearing a similar name.

During the medieval period, the CHESS surname was prevalent in various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. It is likely that the name was initially adopted by individuals residing in or near areas known for their meadows or pastures.

The Hundred Rolls of 1273 record a Richard de la Cherse in Oxfordshire, while the Placita de Quo Warranto of 1292 mentions a William de la Cherse in Shropshire. These early records illustrate the variations in spelling that were common during that era, with "Cherse" and "Chers" being alternative forms of the surname.

Notably, the CHESS surname has been associated with several prominent figures throughout history. One such individual was Sir Thomas Chess (c. 1460-1536), a member of the Privy Council during the reign of King Henry VIII. He served as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and played a significant role in the dissolution of the monasteries in England.

Another notable bearer of the CHESS surname was John Chess (c. 1550-1615), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Dromore in Ireland. He was known for his contributions to the Church of Ireland and his writings on religious topics.

In the 17th century, a family by the name of Chess gained prominence in the county of Gloucestershire. One member, Robert Chess (1625-1692), was a renowned physician and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plants and medicinal herbs.

The CHESS surname also has connections to literature, with William Chess (1651-1721), an English poet and author, best known for his work "The Poetical Works of William Chess, Esq." His poetry and literary works provided insights into the cultural and social aspects of his time.

Another notable figure was Sir John Chess (1786-1858), a British military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament. He played a crucial role in the development of military tactics and strategies during his distinguished career.

While the CHESS surname may have evolved from its locational origins, it continues to carry a rich history and has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chess

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

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

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

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