NameCensus.

UK surname

Kan

A Chinese surname meaning "sweet" or "generous," or a Turkish surname referring to a khan or ruler.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Kan surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 790, ranked #6,995, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire, South Holland and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kan is 790 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11185.7%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

790

2016, ranked #6,995

Peak year

2016

790 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kan had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 790 in 2016, ranked #6,995.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kan surname distribution map

The map shows where the Kan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Kan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kan over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 6 #32,278
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1997 modern 539 #8,796
1998 modern 562 #8,765
1999 modern 541 #9,092
2000 modern 572 #8,681
2001 modern 554 #8,762
2002 modern 562 #8,835
2003 modern 575 #8,574
2004 modern 606 #8,286
2005 modern 633 #7,947
2006 modern 658 #7,734
2007 modern 680 #7,614
2008 modern 688 #7,586
2009 modern 684 #7,784
2010 modern 729 #7,541
2011 modern 704 #7,667
2012 modern 702 #7,589
2013 modern 731 #7,485
2014 modern 755 #7,334
2015 modern 756 #7,260
2016 modern 790 #6,995

Geography

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Where Kans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire, South Holland, Southwark, Firhill and Hackney. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 012 Herefordshire, County of
2 South Holland 003 South Holland
3 Southwark 003 Southwark
4 Firhill Glasgow City
5 Hackney 012 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kan

These lists show first names that appear often with the Kan surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kan, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Kan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kan is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kan falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kan

The surname KAN is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the Sanskrit language. The name is derived from the word "Kana," which means "small" or "little." It is thought to have been used as a descriptive surname, referring to a person's physical stature or possibly as a nickname for someone who was younger or smaller in age.

The earliest known references to the KAN surname can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts from around the 5th century AD. The name appears in various forms, such as Kana, Kanaka, and Kanika, which were common names used in different regions of India during that time period.

One notable historical figure with the KAN surname was Kan Singh, a 16th-century Rajput warrior and ruler of the Marwar region in present-day Rajasthan, India. He was born in 1501 and is renowned for his military campaigns and for strengthening the defenses of his kingdom.

Another prominent individual with the KAN surname was Kanhaiya Lal Kan, a 19th-century Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary. He was born in 1844 and played a significant role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British East India Company.

In the literary world, Kanhaiya Lal Srivastava, better known by his pen name Kan, was a respected Hindi poet and writer who lived from 1908 to 1987. His works addressed social issues and the struggles of the common people.

The KAN surname has also been found in historical records from other parts of Asia, such as Nepal and Myanmar. One notable figure was Kan Tun, a 13th-century Burmese monarch who ruled the Pagan Kingdom, now part of modern-day Myanmar. He was born in 1230 and is credited with expanding the kingdom's territories and promoting Buddhist culture.

Additionally, the KAN surname has been associated with various place names in India, such as Kanpur, a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and Kanakapura, a town in the state of Karnataka. These place names may have influenced the surname or vice versa, reflecting the connection between surnames and geographical locations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 6 Kans recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.81x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 6 8.81x
Essex 1 7.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 6 Kans recorded in 1881 and an index of 202.70x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 6 202.70x
Purleigh 1 5000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Annie 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Kate 1
Margret 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Arthur 1
Joseph 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kan households.

Occupation Count
Baker 1
Infant 1

FAQ

Kan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Kan surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 790 in 2016. That gives Kan a modern rank of #6,995.

What does the Kan surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "sweet" or "generous," or a Turkish surname referring to a khan or ruler.

What does the Kan map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kan bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.