Kazan
A locational surname originating from the city of Kazan, Russia.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 651 Americans carry the last name Kazan. That puts it at #39,052 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.19 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 526,504 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kazan 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
651
1 in 526,504
Census rank
#39,052
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
564
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 564 bearers of the surname Kazan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 39052nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kazan, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.5%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kazan
The surname Kazan has its origins in the Tatar language, and it is believed to have originated from the city of Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia. The name Kazan is derived from the Tatar word "qazan," which means "cauldron" or "boiler," referring to the cauldron-like shape of the city's fortifications.
The Kazan Khanate, a medieval Tatar state centered around the city of Kazan, played a significant role in the history of the region. The name Kazan can be traced back to the 13th century, when the city was first mentioned in historical records.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Kazan was Kul Sharif, a prominent Tatar theologian and philosopher who lived in the 16th century (c. 1510-1552). He is known for his role in defending the city of Kazan against the Russian forces led by Ivan the Terrible.
Another notable figure with the surname Kazan was Mustafa Kazan, a Turkish poet and writer who lived in the 16th century (c. 1545-1598). He was renowned for his contributions to Ottoman literature and his poetic works.
In the 18th century, Mikhail Kazansky (1738-1812) was a Russian military leader and statesman who played a significant role in the Russo-Turkish wars. He is credited with the successful defense of the city of Kherson during the Russo-Turkish War of 1787-1792.
The name Kazan has also been associated with several places, such as the city of Kazan in Russia, as well as the Kazan River and the Kazan Governorate (now part of Tatarstan).
Another prominent figure with the surname Kazan was Grigoriy Nikolayevich Kazan (1888-1944), a Russian-Soviet painter and art educator who made significant contributions to the development of Soviet art and art education.
The name Kazan can be found in various historical records, including chronicles, manuscripts, and official documents from the medieval period onwards, reflecting its long-standing presence in the region and its association with the city of Kazan and the Tatar culture.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kazan
Among Census respondents with the surname Kazan, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.5%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Kazan 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 Kazan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.3%
- Two or more races3.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Black or African American1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kazan 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #39,052 | #39,052 | 0.0% |
| Count | 564 | 564 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kazan bearers went from 564 to 564 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #39,052 to #39,052.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Kazan
FAQ
Kazan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kazan?
The surname Kazan holds position #39,052 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 651 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kazan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kazan, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.5%) and Hispanic (2.1%). 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.