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

Tanev, 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 Tanev surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tanev in America

Tanev is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tanev surname appeared 101 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 Tanev.

The history of the last name Tanev

The surname Tanev originates from Bulgaria, tracing its roots back to the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old Bulgarian word "tanen," meaning "thin" or "slender." This name may have been initially bestowed upon an individual with a thin or slender physique.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Tanev can be found in ancient church records and census documents from the regions of Plovdiv and Sofia in Bulgaria. One notable mention is in a manuscript dated 1387, which lists a certain Ivan Tanev as a landowner in the village of Breznik.

In the 16th century, the name Tanev appeared in several historical documents, including a tax register from 1576 that recorded a Petko Tanev as a resident of the town of Koprivshtitsa. This town was known for its thriving textile industry, and it is possible that the Tanev family played a role in this craft.

During the 19th century, the Tanev surname gained prominence with the birth of Petko Rachev Tanev (1828-1903), a prominent Bulgarian educator and writer. He founded several schools and authored numerous textbooks, contributing significantly to the development of modern Bulgarian education.

Another notable figure was Stoyan Tanev (1869-1923), a Bulgarian revolutionary and politician who played a crucial role in the struggle for Bulgarian independence from the Ottoman Empire. He served as a member of the Bulgarian National Assembly and was a passionate advocate for social reforms.

In the 20th century, Vasil Tanev (1899-1967) made a name for himself as a renowned Bulgarian sculptor and artist. His works, which often depicted Bulgarian folklore and traditions, can be found in various museums and public spaces throughout the country.

Georgi Tanev (1934-2021) was a celebrated Bulgarian actor and director, known for his contributions to the country's theater scene. He received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Askeer Award for his lifetime achievements in the performing arts.

The Tanev surname continues to be prevalent in Bulgaria, with many individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields, including academia, arts, and politics.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tanev

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

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 Tanev 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.

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

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

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