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

Esan, 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 Esan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Esan in America

Esan is the 125282nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Esan surname appeared 137 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 Esan.

The history of the last name Esan

The surname ESAN has its origins in the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria and is thought to have emerged sometime in the 16th or 17th century. The name itself is derived from the Yoruba word "eesan," which means "crown" or "royalty."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ESAN name dates back to the late 17th century, where it appears in a historical document detailing the lineage of the Oba (king) of the Ijebu Kingdom, located in what is now Ogun State, Nigeria. The document mentions an Olu-Esan, which translates to "crowned one" or "royal one."

The ESAN surname is closely tied to the Ijebu Kingdom and the broader Yoruba culture. It was often associated with individuals of noble or royal descent, suggesting a connection to the ruling class or those with significant social standing.

Notable historical figures bearing the ESAN surname include Olori Esan (c. 1750-1820), a highly respected and influential queen mother of the Ijebu Kingdom, renowned for her wisdom and leadership during a turbulent period of the kingdom's history.

Another prominent individual was Awujale Esan (1840-1902), who served as the 15th Awujale (ruler) of the Ijebu Kingdom from 1881 to 1902. His reign was marked by efforts to maintain the kingdom's autonomy amidst growing British colonial influence in the region.

In the late 19th century, Reverend Samuel Esan (1860-1932) was a pioneering Christian missionary and educator who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity and Western education among the Ijebu and Yoruba people.

Moving into the 20th century, Adeyinka Esan (1920-2002) was a prominent Nigerian lawyer, academic, and human rights activist who advocated for democracy and social justice during the turbulent years of military rule in Nigeria.

More recently, Olawale Esan (b. 1958) is a renowned Nigerian artist and sculptor, known for his intricate and evocative works that explore themes of identity, culture, and spirituality within the Yoruba tradition.

While the ESAN surname has its roots in Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities, carrying with it the rich cultural heritage and historical significance associated with the Yoruba people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Esan

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

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 Esan 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.

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

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

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