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

Gorgan, 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 Gorgan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gorgan in America

Gorgan is the 141140th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gorgan surname appeared 118 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 Gorgan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gorgan 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 Gorgan

The surname Gorgan is believed to have originated in the region of Gorgan, which is located in the northern part of Iran, near the Caspian Sea. The name can be traced back to the 9th century AD, during the height of the Persian Empire.

The word "Gorgan" is derived from the Persian term "Gorgan-rud," which means "the river of wolves." This name was likely given to the region due to the presence of wolves along the banks of the river that flows through the area.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Gorgan can be found in a Persian manuscript from the 11th century, which details a family of merchants who lived in the city of Gorgan. This document provides valuable insights into the economic and social status of individuals bearing this name during that time period.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Ahmad Gorgan rose to prominence as a renowned scholar and poet in the court of the Seljuk Empire. His works, which were widely celebrated throughout the region, helped to further establish the name Gorgan as a recognized and respected surname.

During the 16th century, a family of Gorgan merchants settled in the city of Isfahan, which was then the capital of the Safavid Empire. One member of this family, Hasan Gorgan, became a successful trader and was known for his expertise in the silk trade.

In the 18th century, a military leader named Ali Gorgan played a significant role in the wars between the Afsharid and Zand dynasties. His bravery and strategic prowess were widely recognized, and he was eventually appointed as the governor of the province of Gorgan.

Another notable individual with the surname Gorgan was Fatima Gorgan, who lived in the 19th century and was celebrated for her philanthropic efforts. She established several schools and hospitals in the region, providing educational and medical services to the local community.

Throughout history, the surname Gorgan has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, scholars, military leaders, and philanthropists. While the name may have originated in a specific region of Iran, it has since spread to other parts of the world, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gorgan

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

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

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

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