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

Khun, 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 Khun surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Khun in America

Khun is the 38850th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Khun surname appeared 568 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 Khun.

We can also compare 2010 data for Khun 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 Khun

The surname KHUN has its origins in Thailand, where it is believed to have emerged during the Ayutthaya period, spanning from 1351 to 1767. The name is thought to be derived from the Thai word "khun," which was a title of respect and nobility used to address individuals of high social standing.

KHUN is closely associated with the Thai aristocracy and can be traced back to ancient Siamese royal families and noble households. In traditional Thai society, the title "khun" was bestowed upon individuals who held prominent positions within the royal court or held significant influence and authority within their respective communities.

While the exact origins of the surname are unclear, it is believed to have been adopted by noble families and individuals who were granted the honorific title "khun" as a means of distinguishing themselves from commoners. This practice was particularly prevalent during the reigns of the early Ayutthayan kings, when social stratification and hierarchical structures were deeply ingrained in Thai society.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname KHUN can be found in historical records from the reign of King Narai (1633-1688), where several high-ranking officials and advisors bore the surname. Notable examples include Khun Phaen Phanomyong, a prominent military leader and advisor to King Narai, and Khun Phra Ramathibodi, a high-ranking noble and statesman during the same period.

Over the centuries, the KHUN surname has been associated with numerous influential figures in Thai history. One such individual was Khun Ying Mo (1770-1838), a renowned female poet and writer who played a significant role in preserving and promoting Thai literature during the late Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin periods.

Another prominent figure was Khun Muen Suntornwathin (1856-1932), a respected scholar and educator who made significant contributions to the modernization of Thailand's education system during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

In more recent history, the KHUN surname has been carried by individuals such as Khun Ananthamahidol (1925-2015), a member of the Thai royal family and a respected diplomat who served as Thailand's ambassador to several countries.

The KHUN surname has also been associated with various place names and locations within Thailand, particularly in regions with historical ties to the Ayutthayan kingdom and its noble families. Examples include Khun Tan district in Prachuap Khiri Khan province and Khun Phawo district in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

While the KHUN surname has its roots in the Thai aristocracy, it has since become more widely adopted across various social strata within Thai society. However, its historical association with nobility and respect remains an integral part of its cultural significance and legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Khun

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

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

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

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