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

Kheang, 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 Kheang surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kheang in America

Kheang is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kheang surname appeared 128 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 Kheang.

The history of the last name Kheang

The surname KHEANG originates from Cambodia, a country located in the Indochina peninsula of Southeast Asia. It can be traced back to the 15th century during the Khmer Empire.

KHEANG is derived from the Khmer language, which is the official language of Cambodia. It is believed to have roots in the ancient Khmer word "kheng," meaning "strong" or "courageous." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who displayed these qualities.

Historical records from the Angkor period, when the Khmer Empire was at its peak, include references to individuals bearing the surname KHEANG. Some of these mentions can be found in inscriptions and stone carvings adorning the ancient temples of Angkor Wat and Bayon.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname KHEANG dates back to the late 15th century, when a nobleman named Kheang Thaong served as a high-ranking official in the court of King Barom Reachea II (reign: 1476-1506). Kheang Thaong was known for his military prowess and played a significant role in defending the kingdom against foreign invaders.

Another notable figure with the surname KHEANG was Kheang Bunpheng (1857-1927), a revered Buddhist monk and scholar. He was renowned for his extensive knowledge of the Khmer language and literature, and his teachings greatly influenced the preservation of Cambodian culture during the French colonial period.

In the 20th century, Kheang Tola (1902-1945) was a prominent Cambodian intellectual and poet. His works, which often explored themes of nationalism and cultural identity, were instrumental in shaping the country's literary landscape during the turbulent years leading up to and following its independence from France.

During the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979), the surname KHEANG was targeted along with other traditional Cambodian names. Many individuals were forced to abandon their surnames or faced persecution. This period marked a dark chapter in the history of Cambodia and its cultural heritage.

Another notable figure was Kheang Sammouth (1925-2005), a respected diplomat and politician who served as Cambodia's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1996. He played a crucial role in rebuilding the country's international relations following the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime.

While the surname KHEANG has its roots in ancient Cambodia, it continues to be a prominent name in the country and among the Cambodian diaspora around the world, carrying with it a rich cultural legacy and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kheang

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!