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

Chor, 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 Chor surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chor in America

Chor is the 61745th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chor surname appeared 325 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 Chor.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chor 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 Chor

The surname Chor has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern regions of the country. It is believed to have originated during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest mentions of the name can be found in ancient Sanskrit texts, where the word "chor" was used to refer to thieves or robbers. This suggests that the surname may have been initially associated with individuals involved in criminal activities or those who were outlaws.

Historical records indicate that the name was particularly prevalent in the regions of Punjab and Haryana, where it was commonly used by members of certain communities and castes. Some scholars also suggest that the name may have been derived from a place name or village, as was common practice during that time.

In the 16th century, during the reign of the Mughal Empire, there are records of a nobleman named Chor Khan, who served as a military commander under the emperor Akbar. This suggests that the name had gained some prominence and was associated with individuals of high social standing.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Chor was Chor Siraj-ud-din, a renowned Sufi saint and scholar who lived in the 17th century. He was revered for his spiritual teachings and his contributions to the spread of Islamic mysticism in the region.

In the 18th century, the name appears in British colonial records, where it is mentioned in connection with various individuals and families. One such individual was Chor Singh, a prominent landowner and chieftain who played a significant role in the resistance against British rule in the early 19th century.

As time passed, the surname Chor spread to other parts of the Indian subcontinent, and individuals bearing this name could be found in various professions and walks of life. Some notable examples include Chor Bahadur Chand, a renowned poet and writer from the 19th century, and Chor Lal Diwan, a prominent lawyer and social reformer who lived in the early 20th century.

Despite its potentially dubious origins, the surname Chor has become deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the Indian subcontinent, with many families and individuals taking pride in their heritage and the rich history associated with this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chor

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

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

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

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