Origin & Meaning of the Than Surname
What does the last name Than mean?
The surname Than 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 1,983 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Than ranks as the #14,930 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Than come from?
The Than 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 Than name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Than 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.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Than |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin |
| Origin | Asian |
| Language | Asian |
| US Rank (2010) | #14,930 |
| US Count (2010) | 1,983 |
| Per 100K People | 0.67 |
| First Letter | T |
Ethnic Distribution of Than
According to the US Census, the Than surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,983 Americans with the Than last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 2.87% |
| Black | 0.5% |
| Hispanic | 1.16% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 93.9% |
| Two or More Races | 1.56% |
Popularity of Than Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Than surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Than surname increased by 554 between 2000 and 2010.
Discover Your Than Ancestry
Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Than ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.
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The Complete Story of the Than Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Than Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Than
- ✓ The Than coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Than families live today
- ✓ Notable Than bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Similar Surnames to Than
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Than.
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 Than.
Frequently Asked Questions About Than
Top Surnames Starting with T
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter T, ranked by population.
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