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

Keshishian, 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 Keshishian surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Keshishian in America

Keshishian is the 23768th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Keshishian surname appeared 1,064 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 Keshishian.

We can also compare 2010 data for Keshishian 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 Keshishian

The surname Keshishian has its origins in Armenia, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Armenian word "keesheesh," which means "priest" or "clergyman." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who served in religious roles within Armenian communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Keshishian name can be found in Armenian manuscripts from the 13th century. These documents contain references to individuals bearing variations of the surname, such as "Keshishyan" and "Keshishian." This indicates that the name has maintained a consistent spelling and pronunciation over several centuries.

The Keshishian surname has also been linked to certain geographical locations within Armenia. For example, some historical records mention families with this name residing in the regions of Ararat and Vayots Dzor, which were prominent centers of Armenian culture and religion during the medieval era.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have carried the Keshishian surname. One such figure was Hovhannes Keshishian (1868-1949), an Armenian author and educator who made significant contributions to the preservation of Armenian literature and language. Another prominent Keshishian was Khoren Keshishian (1923-2005), a renowned Armenian-American artist known for his abstract expressionist paintings.

In the realm of politics, Vahan Keshishian (1930-2012) served as the Prime Minister of Armenia from 1991 to 1992, playing a crucial role in the country's transition to independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Additionally, Harutyun Keshishian (1875-1949) was a prominent Armenian Revolutionary figure who fought for the liberation of Armenian territories from Ottoman rule.

Another notable figure bearing the Keshishian surname was Avedis Keshishian (1902-1983), a renowned Armenian-American architect who designed numerous buildings and structures across the United States, including churches, schools, and residential properties. His works were heavily influenced by Armenian architectural styles and motifs.

While the Keshishian name has its roots in Armenia, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly among Armenian diaspora communities. However, the historical records and documented instances mentioned above provide valuable insights into the origins and significance of this surname within Armenian culture and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Keshishian

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

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

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

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