Kwan — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Asian origin Rank #3,966 in the US 8,965 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#3,966
▲ Up 181 since 2000
People in the US
8,965
3.04 per 100K people
Origin
Asian
Asian

Origin & Meaning of the Kwan Surname

What does the last name Kwan mean?

The surname Kwan carries the meaning "Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin." It is derived from the Asian language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 8,965 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Kwan ranks as the #3,966 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Kwan come from?

The Kwan surname has its roots in Asian heritage. Names of Asian origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Kwan name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Kwan trace back to Asian. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Asian Asian

Quick Facts

Surname Kwan
Meaning Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin
Origin Asian
Language Asian
US Rank (2010) #3,966
US Count (2010) 8,965
Per 100K People 3.04
First Letter K

Ethnic Distribution of Kwan

According to the US Census, the Kwan surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 8,965 Americans with the Kwan last name.

White 4.9%
Black 0.55%
Hispanic 1.54%
Asian/PI 90.47%
Native American 0.09%
Two+ Races 2.45%
Ethnic distribution of the Kwan surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White4.9%
Black0.55%
Hispanic1.54%
Asian/Pacific Islander90.47%
Native American0.09%
Two or More Races2.45%

Popularity of Kwan Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Kwan surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#4,147
7,906 people
Up 181
Census 2010
#3,966
8,965 people

The number of Americans with the Kwan surname increased by 1,059 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Kwan Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Kwan ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Kwan

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Kwan.

Other Asian Surnames

Explore more surnames with Asian roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Asian origin as Kwan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kwan

The surname Kwan is of Asian origin. Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin
The surname Kwan is ranked #3,966 in the United States with approximately 8,965 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin. The name has Asian roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Kwan surname is distributed as: 90.5% Asian/Pacific Islander. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Kwan ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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