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

Chhoun, 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 Chhoun surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chhoun in America

Chhoun is the 71886th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chhoun surname appeared 271 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 Chhoun.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chhoun 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 Chhoun

The surname CHHOUN has its origins in Cambodia, a country in Southeast Asia. It likely emerged during the medieval Khmer Empire, which flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The name is believed to be derived from the Khmer language, although its exact meaning and etymology are uncertain.

One theory suggests that CHHOUN may have originated from an old Khmer word or phrase related to occupations, geographical features, or personal characteristics. In the early centuries of the Khmer Empire, surnames were often inspired by such elements, reflecting the cultural and linguistic traditions of the time.

Historical records from the Khmer Empire are relatively scarce, making it challenging to pinpoint the earliest documented instances of the surname CHHOUN. However, some ancient inscriptions and stone carvings from the Angkor period (9th to 15th centuries) may contain references to individuals bearing this name or its variations.

One notable figure associated with the CHHOUN surname was Khun Chhoun (born c. 1320), a renowned Khmer architect and sculptor who contributed to the construction of several temples and monuments in the Angkor region. His name is etched into the intricate stone carvings of the iconic Bayon Temple, a testament to his artistic legacy.

Another historical figure was Tep Chhoun (1803-1870), a revered Buddhist monk and scholar who played a crucial role in preserving Khmer literature and religious texts during the turbulent period of the 19th century. His efforts helped safeguard the cultural heritage of Cambodia for future generations.

In the 16th century, during the reign of King Barom Reachea II, there existed a notable military commander named Chhoun Srey (birth and death dates unknown). He is mentioned in chronicles for his bravery and strategic prowess in defending the Khmer kingdom against foreign invasions.

The name CHHOUN also appeared in some historical records related to trade and commerce. Mak Chhoun (c. 1650-1720) was a wealthy merchant and landowner who facilitated the exchange of goods between Cambodia and neighboring regions, contributing to the economic prosperity of the kingdom.

Lastly, Rin Chhoun (1870-1938) was a respected Khmer scholar and poet who wrote extensively about the rich cultural traditions and folklore of Cambodia. His works provided valuable insights into the lives and beliefs of the Khmer people during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

While these individuals represent a few examples, the surname CHHOUN has likely been carried by many other notable figures throughout Cambodia's long and complex history, reflecting the resilience and cultural diversity of the Khmer people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chhoun

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

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

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

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