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

Tor'han, 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 Tor'han surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Tor'han in America

Tor'han is the 139757th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tor'han surname appeared 110 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Tor'han.

The history of the last name Tor'han

The surname Torhan originates from the regions surrounding what is now modern-day Turkey, particularly the Anatolian Peninsula, during the medieval period. The name has its roots in the Old Turkic language, where it may have derived from words associated with strength or a specific title within tribal chieftains. Early Turkic tribes were known for their hierarchical societies, and surnames often reflected a person's role or status within the group.

Historical references to the surname Torhan date back to the Seljuk Empire, which ruled much of the Middle East from the 11th to the 14th centuries. Manuscripts from this period make mention of a warrior named Torhan Bey, who was an influential figure in the military excursions of the Seljuk Turks. This indicates that the name was not only known but also esteemed within military and noble circles.

Among the earliest recorded instances of the name is an official decree from the year 1192, mentioning Torhan Pasha, a notable governor appointed by the Seljuks to oversee a province in Anatolia. His rule was marked by fortifications and the establishment of various trade routes, integral to the economic stability of the region.

Old place names and variations of the surname provide additional context. In some records, the spelling 'Torghan' has been used interchangeably, especially in Persian manuscripts from the 12th century. These records mention an area called "Torghan-abad," believed to be a village founded by a clan carrying the surname, further entrenching its significance in historical geography.

In the Ottoman period, another influential figure bearing the surname was Torhan Elçi, born in 1530 and passed in 1595. He served as an ambassador and was part of key diplomatic missions between the Ottoman Empire and European states, highlighting the international reach and respect commanded by those with the surname.

The surname appears again in the late 18th century in the form of Torhan Ağa, who was born in 1756. He served as a prominent architect under Sultan Abdul Hamid I and is credited with the design and construction of several noteworthy buildings in Istanbul, including the well-known Torhan Mosque, completed in 1791.

Another significant bearer of the surname was Torhan Efendi, a scholar born in 1812 who contributed to the Ottoman educational reforms during the Tanzimat period. His writings and public service helped modernize the schooling system, making education more accessible to the broader population.

Finally, the name Torhan has appeared in the context of Turkish liberation history, with Torhan Kaya, born in 1897. He was a soldier and later a politician who played a role in the Turkish War of Independence, contributing to the founding of the modern Republic of Turkey. His legacy is commemorated in several historical texts and monuments.

The evolution and historical references of the surname Torhan point to its deep-rooted significance in Turkish and regional history, carrying connotations of strength, leadership, and intellectual contributions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tor'han

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Tor'han.

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Tor'han 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 Tor'han was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!