Chien
A Chinese surname meaning "money" or "coin," likely referring to an ancestor's occupation or status.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,353 Americans carry the last name Chien. That puts it at #8,732 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.27 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 78,740 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Chien surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
4.4K
1 in 78,740
Census rank
#8,732
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.8K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,756 bearers of the surname Chien in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.27 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 8732nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Chien, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 92.0%. The next largest groups are White (3.8%) and Two or More Races (2.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Chien
The surname CHIEN is of French origin, dating back to the Middle Ages. Its roots can be traced to the Old French word "chien," which means "dog." This name was likely given as a nickname to someone who exhibited dog-like traits or behaviors, or perhaps to someone who worked with dogs, such as a hunter or a dog trainer.
In the early 14th century, records show the name CHIEN appearing in various regions of France, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country. One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the archives of the city of Rouen, where a certain Jean CHIEN was mentioned in a legal document dated 1325.
During the Renaissance period, the CHIEN surname gained prominence among the French nobility. Notable figures bearing this name include Étienne CHIEN, a prominent lawyer and judge who lived from 1510 to 1587. He served as a counselor to the Parliament of Paris and was known for his expertise in civil law.
In the 17th century, the CHIEN family established a strong presence in the region of Burgundy, where they owned several vineyards and estates. One of the most illustrious members of this branch was Louis CHIEN (1625-1701), a respected vintner and patron of the arts, who commissioned several works from renowned painters and sculptors of his time.
As the CHIEN surname spread throughout France, it also found its way into other parts of Europe. In the 18th century, a German branch of the family emerged, with Johann CHIEN (1725-1798) becoming a respected theologian and author of several influential religious texts.
Across the Atlantic, the CHIEN name took root in the French colonies of North America, particularly in the regions of Quebec and Louisiana. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the New World was that of Pierre CHIEN, a fur trader and explorer who accompanied the expeditions of René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, in the late 17th century.
Over the centuries, the CHIEN surname has been associated with various professions and fields, from law and politics to the arts and academia. Notable individuals bearing this name include the French novelist and playwright René CHIEN (1879-1936), the Swiss architect and urban planner Charles CHIEN (1892-1971), and the Canadian politician and diplomat Paul CHIEN (1920-2009).
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Chien
Among Census respondents with the surname Chien, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 92.0%. The next largest groups are White (3.8%) and Two or More Races (2.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Chien bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Chien surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander92.0%
- White3.8%
- Two or more races2.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.1%
- Black or African American0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Chien surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #9,257 | #8,732 | 5.7% |
| Count | 3,239 | 3,756 | 16.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.20 | 1.27 | 5.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Chien bearers went from 3,239 to 3,756 (+16.0% change). The surname moved up 525 positions in the national ranking, going from #9,257 to #8,732.
FAQ
Chien surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Chien?
The surname Chien holds position #8,732 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,353 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.27 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Chien surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Chien, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 92.0%. The next largest groups are White (3.8%) and Two or More Races (2.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.