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

Kohan, 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 Kohan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kohan in America

Kohan is the 17752nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kohan surname appeared 1,578 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Kohan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kohan 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 Kohan

The surname KOHAN is believed to have originated in Iran, with its roots dating back to the ancient Persian era. The name is derived from the Persian word "kohan," which means "old" or "ancient." This suggests that the surname may have initially been adopted by individuals or families associated with long-standing traditions or historical significance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KOHAN surname can be traced back to the 10th century, during the reign of the Samanid Empire in Persia. Historical records from this period mention individuals with the surname, indicating its usage among the Persian nobility and scholarly circles.

In the 12th century, the KOHAN name gained further prominence when it appeared in various Persian literary works and manuscripts. One notable example is the epic poem "Shahnameh" by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi, where characters bearing the KOHAN surname are mentioned.

During the Safavid Dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1501 to 1736, the KOHAN surname was associated with several influential figures. One such individual was Mirza Mohammad Khan Kohan, a prominent military leader and governor who served under Shah Abbas I in the early 17th century.

As the centuries passed, the KOHAN surname spread beyond Iran's borders, with individuals bearing this name migrating to various parts of the world. In the 19th century, the KOHAN name appeared in historical records from regions such as Central Asia and the Caucasus, where Persian cultural influences were strong.

Notable individuals with the KOHAN surname throughout history include:

1. Abolqasem Ferdowsi (940-1020), the revered Persian poet and author of the epic "Shahnameh."
2. Mirza Mohammad Khan Kohan (fl. early 17th century), a military leader and governor during the Safavid Dynasty.
3. Esmail Kohan (1877-1955), an Iranian politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Iran in the early 20th century.
4. Abdollah Kohan (1924-2008), an Iranian writer and literary critic known for his contributions to Persian literature.
5. Sohrab Kohan (born 1973), a contemporary Iranian-American artist and sculptor renowned for his multimedia installations.

While the KOHAN surname has its roots in ancient Persia, it has since transcended borders and cultures, becoming a part of the diverse tapestry of global surnames. Its enduring presence through the centuries reflects the rich historical and cultural heritage associated with this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kohan

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

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

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

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