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

Horsechief, 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 Horsechief surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Horsechief in America

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

The Horsechief 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 Horsechief.

The history of the last name Horsechief

The surname "HORSECHIEF" is a unique and intriguing name with roots in Native American culture. It originated among the indigenous tribes of the Great Plains region of North America, particularly among the tribes of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. The name can be traced back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when these tribes roamed the vast stretches of the American West.

The name "HORSECHIEF" is believed to have been derived from a literal translation of a Native American leader's title or position within the tribe. In many Native American societies, horses held great significance, not only as a means of transportation but also as symbols of power, wealth, and status. A "HORSECHIEF" would have been a revered figure, responsible for overseeing the tribe's horses and managing the equine resources that were vital to their way of life.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "HORSECHIEF" can be found in the chronicles of explorer and trader William Bent, who established a trading post in what is now southeastern Colorado in the early 1800s. Bent documented his interactions with several Native American leaders, including a prominent Cheyenne chief known as "HORSECHIEF" or "HOSA," who played a significant role in the tribe's negotiations and dealings with the European settlers.

Another notable figure with the surname "HORSECHIEF" was Arapaho Chief Black Horsechief (circa 1820-1876), a respected leader of the Southern Arapaho tribe. He was renowned for his bravery in battle and his efforts to maintain peace between his people and the encroaching settlers. Black Horsechief's name is recorded in various historical accounts and treaty documents from the mid-19th century.

In the late 1800s, a man named John Horsechief (1846-1922) gained recognition as a prominent figure among the Southern Cheyenne tribe. He served as a scout and interpreter for the United States Army, playing a crucial role in facilitating communication and understanding between the military and his tribe during a turbulent period of conflict and cultural upheaval.

Another individual of note was Cheyenne artist and educator Woodrow Horsechief (1920-1997), who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Native American art and culture. He was a respected painter, illustrator, and teacher, and his works are held in numerous museum collections, including the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.

While the surname "HORSECHIEF" may not be as common as some other Native American names, it holds a rich heritage and significance, reflecting the deep connection between the indigenous peoples of the Great Plains and the horse, which played a vital role in their traditions, subsistence, and way of life.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Horsechief

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

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

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

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