Search 1950 US Census & Historical Records for "Khan"
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Khan
Meaning: King, ruler, sovereign chieftain
Ancestral homeland: Arabic (North America). Starting letter: K.
The surname "Khan" is of Arabic origin, meaning "King, ruler, sovereign chieftain". In the United States, it ranks #2386 in frequency with an estimated 3,685 individuals, predominantly living in California, Texas, Florida. Historically, Originally a Turco-Mongol title of sovereignty that merged into Persian, Arabic, and South Asian Islamic nobility, representing leadership, diplomacy, and governance.
Historical Roots & Etymology
Originally a Turco-Mongol title of sovereignty that merged into Persian, Arabic, and South Asian Islamic nobility, representing leadership, diplomacy, and governance.
As an Occupational surname, the patronymic or occupational title reflects cultural traditions preserved across centuries. Ancient parish registers, civil census returns, and municipal tax rolls document early branches of the Khan family adapting their spelling and pronunciation across migrations.
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How Common is the Surname Khan in the US?
#2386
Top US Surnames3,685
American residents11.1
per 1 Million people+14.2%
US Census cycleTop US States by Khan Population Density % of all US bearers
American Immigration Manifests & Ports of Arrival
Immigration records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) trace primary waves of Khan families arriving in the United States during the 1880–1924 (Great Migration Era).
Global Geographic Distribution & Diaspora
Historical records trace prominent lineages of the Khan family across these major worldwide regions:
Notable Historical Figures & Bearers of "Khan"
Celebrated individuals carrying the surname Khan with distinction across civic governance, literature, science, and industry:
Historical Spelling Variants
Before standardized spelling conventions in the 19th century, civil census enumerators recorded multiple phonetically related variants:
Frequently Asked Questions about Khan
Expert answers to common questions about names, origins, and naming traditions
The surname Khan originates from Arabic heritage and traditionally translates to "King, ruler, sovereign chieftain". Historically, it was adopted as an occupational marker to signify clan lineage, professional craft, or geographic homeland.
According to United States Census Bureau records, Khan ranks as the #2386 most common surname in America, carried by an estimated 3,685 people (11.1 occurrences per million residents). The highest concentrations are found in California (12.5%), Texas (10.8%), Florida (8.4%), New York (7.9%), Pennsylvania (6.2%).
Major waves of families carrying the name Khan arrived in North America during the 1880–1924 (Great Migration Era). The primary historical ports of entry recorded in immigration manifests include Port of New York (Ellis Island), Boston, Philadelphia.
Notable individuals with the surname Khan include Shah Rukh Khan (Global Cinema Icon), Imran Khan (Cricket Legend & Statesman), Sal Khan (Founder of Khan Academy), recognized for their contributions in history, governance, arts, and science.
Recorded historical spelling variations and regional cognates of Khan include Khatun, Kahn.
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Surname Fast Facts
- Origin / Demonym
- Arabic
- Ancestral Nation
- 🇺🇸 Arabic
- Classification
- Occupational
- US Frequency Rank
- #2386
- Est. US Population
- ~3,685
- Primary US State
- California
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