Shon
A variant of the surname "Shawn", from the Irish name Séan meaning "God is gracious".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,063 Americans carry the last name Shon. That puts it at #26,671 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.31 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 322,441 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Shon surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
1.1K
1 in 322,441
Census rank
#26,671
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
913
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 913 bearers of the surname Shon in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 26671st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Shon, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 75.7%. The next largest groups are White (16.6%) and Two or More Races (4.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Shon
The surname SHON originated in England during the medieval period, with records dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "scone," meaning a small loaf or roll of bread, suggesting that the name may have been an occupational surname given to a baker or seller of such bread.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SHON can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Scone" in the county of Wiltshire. This historical record provides valuable insight into the name's origins and its connection to the region.
As the name spread across England, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Shone, Shoane, and Shone. These variations were common during the Middle Ages due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions and the influence of regional dialects.
Notably, the surname SHON has been associated with several significant figures throughout history. One prominent individual was John Shon (c. 1470-1533), a Welsh scholar and grammarian who played a crucial role in the development of the Welsh language and literature. His work, "Gramadeg Cymraeg," published in 1567, is considered a seminal text in the study of Welsh grammar.
Another noteworthy figure was Sir John Shon (1564-1629), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in the early 17th century. He was known for his involvement in local affairs and his efforts to promote economic development in the region.
In the realm of literature, the surname SHON has been carried by notable authors such as William Shon (1820-1892), an English poet and writer whose works explored themes of nature and rural life. His collection of poems, "The Village Muse," published in 1867, garnered critical acclaim during his lifetime.
Moving into the 20th century, the name SHON was borne by individuals like Sir Alfred Shon (1901-1979), a British engineer and industrialist who made significant contributions to the development of the automotive industry. He was knighted in 1962 for his services to engineering and technology.
Lastly, a more recent figure with the surname SHON is Robert Shon (1938-2018), an American artist and sculptor renowned for his abstract and minimalist works. His sculptures can be found in numerous public spaces and galleries across the United States, reflecting his unique artistic vision and mastery of form.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Shon
Among Census respondents with the surname Shon, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 75.7%. The next largest groups are White (16.6%) and Two or More Races (4.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Shon bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Shon surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander75.7%
- White16.6%
- Two or more races4.7%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
- Unknown or suppressed1.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Shon surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #28,194 | #26,671 | 5.4% |
| Count | 799 | 913 | 14.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.30 | 0.31 | 3.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Shon bearers went from 799 to 913 (+14.3% change). The surname moved up 1,523 positions in the national ranking, going from #28,194 to #26,671.
FAQ
Shon surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Shon?
The surname Shon holds position #26,671 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,063 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Shon surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Shon, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 75.7%. The next largest groups are White (16.6%) and Two or More Races (4.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.