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

Whan, 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 Whan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whan in America

Whan is the 50960th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whan surname appeared 409 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 Whan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whan 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 Whan

The surname Whan has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. This name is believed to have originated in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in areas such as Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. The surname Whan may derive from an early form of the Old English words "hwaene" or "hwæn", meaning "to make a noise" or "to weep", which could describe a person known for being a crier or one who lived by a noisy place, such as a mill or a waterfall.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Whan can be traced back to the 13th century. In some Scottish records, variations like Quhan and Whane appear, indicating the name's fluid spelling over time. By the 15th century, more stable forms of the surname began to be noted in official documents. The Whan name appeared in early Scottish charters and land grants, linking the family to specific properties and lands.

Historical references to the Whan name include mentions in church records, taxation rolls, and legal documents. For example, a William Whan is documented in 1466 in the Scottish archives, suggesting the presence of the family in the Ayrshire region. These early appearances cement the surname's association with the land and society of medieval Scotland. Another early bearer, John Quhan, appears in a 1523 charter, serving as a witness in legal proceedings.

Throughout history, individuals with this surname began to spread to other regions. One notable figure is Robert Whan, who, in 1603, was documented in the city of Glasgow. His involvement in local trade and municipal affairs is recorded, indicating a gradual movement of families with this surname into urban centers.

The Whan surname next surfaces prominently in the 18th century. James Whan, born in 1770, became a notable figure in Dumfriesshire. He contributed to local governance and commerce, highlighting the surname's continued significance in southern Scotland. Additionally, a Samuel Whan, born in 1805, gained recognition for his work in agricultural developments in Northumberland, England, indicating the surname's spread outside Scotland.

In the 19th century, the Whan family saw further dispersion, with individuals like Margaret Whan, born in 1839, who emigrated to North America. She played a role in the early settlement of Scottish immigrants in Canada, preserving her cultural heritage in a new land.

The surname Whan, with its roots deeply embedded in Scottish history, reflects the journey of numerous individuals through various facets of society from the medieval period to the modern era. The shifting spellings and regional associations of the name offer a glimpse into the linguistic and social transformations spanning several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whan

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

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

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

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