Find out how popular the last name Turban is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Turban.
An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of turbans.
Turban, 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 Turban surname is from the 2010 census data.
Turban is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Turban surname appeared 103 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 Turban.
The surname "Turban" has its origins in the Middle East and is derived from the Persian word "dūlband," which means "turban." The name likely originated in regions where the turban was a common cultural and religious head covering, such as Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname "Turban" can be traced back to the 13th century in various Middle Eastern manuscripts and historical records. It is believed that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive surname, referring to individuals who wore turbans or were involved in the production or trade of turbans.
In the 15th century, the name "Turban" appears in Ottoman Turkish records, possibly indicating the migration of individuals with this surname from Persia to the Ottoman Empire. During this time, the name may have been associated with various professions related to the turban trade or manufacturing.
One notable historical figure with the surname "Turban" was Mahmud Turban (1494-1556), a Turkish scholar and poet who lived during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. His works contributed significantly to the development of Ottoman Turkish literature and poetry.
Another individual of note was Haji Turban (1720-1798), a Persian merchant and traveler who documented his journeys through Central Asia and India in the 18th century. His travelogues provide valuable insights into the cultural and social landscapes of the regions he visited.
In the 19th century, the name "Turban" gained prominence in parts of South Asia, particularly in regions under British colonial rule. It is believed that individuals with this surname may have migrated from Persia or the Ottoman Empire to the Indian subcontinent during this period.
One notable figure from this era was Sayyid Turban (1817-1891), an Indian Muslim scholar and reformist who advocated for educational and social reforms within the Muslim community. He played a significant role in establishing modern educational institutions in British India.
Another individual of note was Mirza Turban (1865-1932), a Persian-born Indian nationalist and journalist who advocated for Indian independence from British rule. He was a prominent figure in the Indian freedom movement and contributed to the development of Urdu literature.
While the surname "Turban" has its origins in the Middle East, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the historical records and notable individuals mentioned above provide insights into the rich cultural and linguistic heritage associated with this surname.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Turban.
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:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Turban was:
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
---|---|---|
Non-Hispanic White Only | 87.38% | 90 |
Non-Hispanic Black Only | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0 |
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | (S)% | (S) |
Hispanic Origin | 5.83% | 6 |
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.
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 Turban was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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<a href="http://namecensus.com/last-names/turban-surname-popularity/">Turban last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
"Turban last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/turban-surname-popularity/.
"Turban last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/turban-surname-popularity/. Accessed 6 July, 2025
Turban last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/turban-surname-popularity/.
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