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

Chhan, 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 Chhan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chhan in America

Chhan is the 59603rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chhan surname appeared 339 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 Chhan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chhan 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 Chhan

The surname CHHAN is of Indian origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period in the northern regions of the subcontinent. It is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word "Chhan," which means "shade" or "shelter." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who provided shelter or lived in shaded areas.

The earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in ancient texts and manuscripts from the 12th and 13th centuries, particularly in regions like Punjab and Rajasthan. Some historical records mention CHHAN as a clan or community name, indicating its significance within certain social structures.

One notable reference to the CHHAN surname appears in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative document compiled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text contained records of land ownership and taxation, providing valuable insights into the prevalence of certain surnames during that era.

Among the earliest known individuals bearing the CHHAN surname was Rana Chhan Singh, a prominent military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. His bravery and strategic prowess earned him recognition and various land grants.

Another prominent figure was Devi Chhan Kaur, a Sikh princess and warrior who fought against the Afghan invasion of Punjab in the early 19th century. Her courage and leadership during the battles of Muktsar and Khidrana have been widely celebrated in Sikh history.

In the realm of literature, the poet and scholar Lal Chhan Ditta Mal, born in 1821 in Punjab, made significant contributions to Punjabi literature and the preservation of cultural heritage. His works, including poetry collections and historical accounts, have been widely studied and appreciated.

The CHHAN surname also found its way into the world of sports, with Chhan Singh, a renowned Indian wrestler from the early 20th century. He won numerous championships and represented India in international competitions, bringing honor to his name and the sport.

Another notable figure was Chhan Lal Sahu, a prominent businessman and philanthropist from Rajasthan in the late 19th century. He established several educational institutions and contributed significantly to the development of his community, leaving a lasting legacy.

While the CHHAN surname has its roots in northern India, it has spread across various regions and communities over the centuries, with individuals bearing this name making their mark in diverse fields and leaving an indelible imprint on history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chhan

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

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

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

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