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

Shahnazarian, 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 Shahnazarian surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shahnazarian in America

Shahnazarian is the 120901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shahnazarian surname appeared 143 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 Shahnazarian.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shahnazarian 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 Shahnazarian

The surname "SHAHNAZARIAN" has its origins in the Persian language and is believed to have originated in present-day Iran and surrounding regions during the medieval period. It is a compound name derived from the Persian words "shah" meaning king or ruler, and "nazar" meaning sight or vision, potentially referring to a person who held a position of authority or had a keen eye for observation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 12th century, where it appears in Persian manuscripts and historical records from the region. During this time, the name was often spelled with variations such as "Shahnezarian" or "Shahnazaryan," reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings in the pre-modern era.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Shahnazarian Mirza was a prominent courtier and advisor to the Timurid ruler Timur, also known as Tamerlane. Mirza's influence and role in the Timurid court may have contributed to the widespread recognition of the surname during this period.

As the Persian Empire expanded and trade routes connected different regions, the name began to spread beyond its original homeland. In the 16th century, records from the Ottoman Empire mention individuals with the surname Shahnazarian residing in present-day Turkey and parts of the Levant.

During the 19th century, a renowned Armenian poet and writer named Khachatur Shahnazarian (1813-1892) gained recognition for his literary works and contributions to the Armenian cultural renaissance. His birth name was Khachatur Daduryan, but he adopted the pen name "Shahnazarian" as a nod to his literary aspirations.

Another notable figure was Gevorg Shahnazarian (1866-1944), an Armenian military leader who played a pivotal role in the defense of the Armenian population during the Ottoman-era massacres and the Armenian Genocide. His bravery and leadership during these tumultuous times earned him a place in Armenian history.

In the 20th century, Suren Shahnazarian (1923-2008) was a prominent Armenian-American artist and sculptor, known for his intricate metalwork and sculptures that celebrated Armenian culture and heritage. His works are displayed in various museums and galleries around the world.

While the surname "SHAHNAZARIAN" has its roots in ancient Persia, it has since spread across different regions and cultures, carried by individuals who have left their mark on history through their achievements in various fields, from literature and art to military service and leadership.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shahnazarian

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

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

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

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