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

Zeeshan, 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 Zeeshan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeeshan in America

Zeeshan is the 113791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeeshan surname appeared 154 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 Zeeshan.

The history of the last name Zeeshan

The surname Zeeshan traces its origins to the Persian-speaking regions and is commonly found in South Asia, particularly in countries like Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. The name derives from the Persian words "Zee" meaning "of" or "belonging to," and "Shan," which means "splendor" or "dignity." Together, Zeeshan can be interpreted as "possessor of grandeur" or "one adorned with splendor."

Historical references to the surname Zeeshan are relatively scarce given that surnames were not widely formalized or documented in Persian and South Asian cultures until more recent centuries. However, one can find indirect references to the honorific use of "Shan" in medieval Persian literature and historical texts, which often celebrated the nobility and grand personalities adorned with such titles.

The earliest recorded examples of the surname Zeeshan in formal documents appear during the Mughal era in South Asia, particularly in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. During this period, the Mughal rulers and their courtiers adopted Persian as the language of administration and culture, leading to the wider adoption of Persian-influenced surnames. An early instance of the surname emerges in a record dated 1623, attributed to Nawab Zeeshan Khan, a minor noble in the court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

Another historically significant figure is Mirza Zeeshan Beg, born in 1691, a prominent courtier in the service of Emperor Aurangzeb. Mirza Zeeshan Beg held several important administrative positions, including the governorship of the province of Gujarat. His contributions to the empire are documented in several contemporaneous administrative records and royal decrees.

In the 18th century, Zeeshan Khan Lodhi, born in 1723, was a notable military commander who served under multiple emperors, including Muhammad Shah and Ahmad Shah Bahadur. His strategic acumen in various military campaigns laid the foundation for his family's prominence in Northern India, especially in the regions surrounding Delhi.

The 19th century saw Zeeshan-ul-Haq, a famous poet and scholar who was born in 1814. His literary works, primarily in Persian and Urdu, were celebrated for their depth and eloquence. His contributions to South Asian literature have been collected in several anthologies and continue to be studied by scholars of the region's history and literature.

In the early 20th century, Mohammad Zeeshan Ali, born in 1902, emerged as a significant political figure in pre-partition India. He played an influential role in the Khilafat Movement and later in the Indian National Congress. His efforts towards India’s independence were notable and he continued to be a key player in the politics of newly-formed Pakistan until his death in 1968.

The surname Zeeshan, while not as extensively recorded in historical annals as other surnames, carries a legacy of cultural and historical significance originating from Persian influence on South Asian societies. Over centuries, individuals bearing the surname Zeeshan have made notable contributions to politics, administration, military, and literature, showcasing the enduring legacy of their name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeeshan

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

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

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

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