Khan
A surname of Turkic and Mongolic origin meaning "ruler" or "leader", also used as a title for a sovereign or military leader.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 88,499 Americans carry the last name Khan. That puts it at #427 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 25.82 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 3,873 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Khan 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
88K
1 in 3,873
Census rank
#427
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
25.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
76K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 76,171 bearers of the surname Khan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 25.82 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 427th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Khan, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 81.3%. The next largest groups are White (6.9%) and Two or More Races (5.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Khan
The surname KHAN has its origins in Central Asia and is derived from the Turkic and Mongolic word "Khan" which means "ruler" or "leader". This name is closely associated with the Mongol Empire and the various Khanates that emerged from it.
The KHAN surname can be traced back to the 13th century during the reign of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire. The name was initially used to denote the rulers and leaders of the Mongol tribes, and it gradually became a hereditary title passed down through generations.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the KHAN surname appears in the writings of Marco Polo, the famous Venetian explorer, who traveled through the Mongol Empire in the late 13th century. He documented the names and titles of various Khans he encountered during his journey.
In the 14th century, the KHAN surname was widely used among the ruling elite of the Golden Horde, the Mongol Khanate that ruled over vast territories in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Prominent figures such as Batu Khan (c. 1205-1255), the founder of the Golden Horde, and Berke Khan (c. 1209-1266), his successor, bore this surname.
As the Mongol Empire fragmented, the KHAN surname spread across various regions, including Central Asia, Persia, and South Asia. In the 16th century, the Mughal Empire in India was founded by Babur (1483-1530), a descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur (Tamerlane), who bore the KHAN surname.
Another notable figure with the KHAN surname was Nader Shah (1688-1747), the founder of the Afsharid dynasty in Persia and one of the most powerful rulers of his time. He was known for his military campaigns and the expansion of Persian territories.
In the 19th century, the KHAN surname gained prominence in the Central Asian region, particularly in areas such as modern-day Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Prominent Khans of this period included Kenesary Khan (1802-1847), a Kazakh warrior and leader who fought against Russian expansion, and Alim Khan (1880-1944), the last Khan of Khiva, a Khanate in modern-day Uzbekistan.
Throughout history, the KHAN surname has been associated with leadership, power, and military prowess, reflecting its roots in the Mongol Empire and the various Khanates that emerged from it. While the surname has spread across different regions and cultures, its significance and prestige remain deeply rooted in Central Asian history and traditions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Khan
Among Census respondents with the surname Khan, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 81.3%. The next largest groups are White (6.9%) and Two or More Races (5.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Khan 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 Khan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander81.3%
- White6.9%
- Two or more races5.3%
- Black or African American3.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Khan 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #665 | #427 | 35.8% |
| Count | 46,713 | 76,171 | 63.1% |
| Per 100K | 17.32 | 25.82 | 49.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Khan bearers went from 46,713 to 76,171 (+63.1% change). The surname moved up 238 positions in the national ranking, going from #665 to #427.
FAQ
Khan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Khan?
The surname Khan holds position #427 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 88,499 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 25.82 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Khan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Khan, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 81.3%. The next largest groups are White (6.9%) and Two or More Races (5.3%). 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.