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

Roan, 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 Roan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Roan in America

Roan is the 9073rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Roan surname appeared 3,603 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 Roan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Roan 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 Roan

The surname Roan has its roots in England, originating in the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word 'roan,' meaning reddish-brown or bay colored, referring to the coat color of horses or cattle. This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a descriptive surname for someone who worked with or owned reddish-brown animals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Roan.' This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a detailed survey of landholdings and properties across England. The presence of the name in this historical record indicates that it was already in use among the English population during the 11th century.

Over time, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Roane, Rohan, and Rowen. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the evolving nature of the English language. It is also possible that the name may have been influenced by the French spelling 'Rohan,' as the Norman conquest of England in 1066 brought a significant French influence to the English language and naming traditions.

Historically, the name Roan has been associated with various notable individuals. One such figure was Sir Thomas Roan, a prominent merchant and alderman in London during the 16th century. Born around 1520, he played a significant role in the city's governance and trade affairs during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another notable bearer of the surname was William Roan, an English clergyman and academic who lived in the 17th century. Born in 1618, he served as the Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, and was renowned for his scholarly contributions to theology and philosophy.

In the literary realm, the name Roan is associated with the English poet and playwright Michael Roan, who lived from 1628 to 1700. Although not widely celebrated today, his works provide valuable insights into the cultural and literary landscape of 17th-century England.

Moving into the 18th century, we encounter John Roan, a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War. Born in 1740, he rose to the rank of captain and played a role in several notable naval engagements against the American and French forces.

Lastly, the 19th century saw the prominence of Sir Jonathan Roan, a British industrialist and philanthropist born in 1812. He made significant contributions to the development of the coal mining industry in northern England and was also known for his charitable endeavors, supporting various educational and social initiatives in his local community.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Roan

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

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

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

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