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

Sekhon, 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 Sekhon surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sekhon in America

Sekhon is the 21288th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sekhon surname appeared 1,231 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 Sekhon.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sekhon 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 Sekhon

The surname Sekhon has its origins in the Punjab region of South Asia, specifically among the Sikh community. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Shekha," which means "crest" or "crown." The name likely originated as a title or honorific bestowed upon individuals or families of high social standing or accomplishment.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Sekhon can be traced back to the 16th century, during the reign of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. The Sikh community played a significant role in the military and administrative ranks of the Mughal government, and it is possible that the name Sekhon was first adopted by individuals in these positions.

One of the earliest notable figures bearing the name Sekhon was Bhai Mani Singh (1644-1734), a revered Sikh scholar and warrior who played a crucial role in preserving and propagating the teachings of Sikhism. He was a highly respected figure in the Sikh community and is remembered for his contributions to Sikh literature and his bravery in battles against the Mughal forces.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, as the Sikh Empire rose to prominence under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sekhon name became associated with prominent families and individuals within the Sikh aristocracy. Sardar Desa Singh Sekhon (1766-1834) was a renowned military commander who served under Maharaja Ranjit Singh and played a crucial role in the expansion of the Sikh Empire.

Another notable figure from this period was Sardar Lehna Singh Sekhon (1790-1860), a Sikh warrior and military leader who fought against the British East India Company during the Anglo-Sikh Wars. He was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield and is remembered as a hero in Sikh history.

In more recent times, Gurbachan Singh Sekhon (1919-1963) was an Indian Air Force officer who received the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor, for his extraordinary courage and sacrifice during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948. His actions in defending the Srinagar airfield against Pakistani forces are celebrated as a defining moment in the history of the Indian Air Force.

Another notable figure bearing the name Sekhon was Kulbir Singh Sekhon (1919-1992), a Sikh politician and member of the Indian National Congress party. He served as a member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, representing the Ferozepur constituency in Punjab.

The surname Sekhon continues to be prominent among the Sikh community, particularly in the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as among the Sikh diaspora around the world. While the name has evolved over time, its roots remain firmly grounded in the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of the Sikh tradition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sekhon

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

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

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

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