CHAN
Also recorded as Ch'An, Ch'an
Chan
Overview: Chan is a British surname with origins that can be traced back to different cultural and geographical regions. It is a common surname among individuals of Chinese, Scottish, and Irish descent, making it a multicultural and diverse family name.
Origin: The surname Chan has various origins depending on the cultural background of the individual. For individuals of Chinese descent, Chan is a popular surname that can be traced back to Chinese ancestry. In Chinese, the surname Chan (simplified: 陈) is one of the most common surnames and has its roots in ancient China.
However, in the case of individuals with Scottish or Irish heritage, the surname Chan may have different origins. It is believed that the surname Chan in Scotland and Ireland may have been anglicised from the Gaelic surname "MacShane," which means "son of Shane."
Distribution: The surname Chan is not as common in Britain as it is in other parts of the world due to the diverse origins of individuals bearing this surname. In the modern UK, individuals with the surname Chan are spread across different regions, with concentrations in urban areas with multicultural populations.
Notable Individuals: There are several notable individuals with the surname Chan who have made significant contributions in various fields. These include but are not limited to:
- Sir Malcolm Chan: A distinguished Scottish businessman and philanthropist known for his contributions to the arts and education.
- Dr. Mei-Hua Chan: A prominent Chinese-British scientist who made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of genetics.
- Fiona Chan: A talented musician and composer of Irish descent, known for her innovative approach to traditional Irish music.
Legacy: The surname Chan represents a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and diversity in Britain. It serves as a reminder of the multicultural society that the UK has become, with individuals from different backgrounds coming together under a shared surname. The legacy of the Chan surname is a testament to the unity in diversity that defines modern British society.
There are approximately 15,004 people named Chan in the UK. That makes it the 587th most common surname in Britain. Around 230 in a million people in Britain are named Chan.
Region of origin: Asia
Country of origin: China
Language of origin: Chinese
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Chi
- Chun
- David
- Ka
- Kwok
- Michael
- Peter
- Wai
Female
- Kam
- Kim
- Kit
- Lai
- Linda
- Mei
- Sau
- Siu
- Susan
- Wai
- Wing
- Yuen
- Yuk
Similar and related surnames
- Cahn
- Cha
- Chai
- Chaigne
- Chaigneau
- Chain
- Chaine
- Chainey
- Cham
- Chana
- Chanas
- Chanay
- Chance
- Chand
- Chande
- Chane
- Chanes
- Chaney
- Chang
- Change
- Changh
- Chani
- Chania
- Chanie
- Chann
- Channa
- Channe
- Channes
- Channey
- Channi
- Channis
- Channo
- Channy
- Chano
- Chanos
- Chans
- Chanse
- Chant
- Chante
- Chants
- Chanu
- Chany
- Chanyi
- Chas
- Chaun
- Chawn
- Chayne
- Chayney
- Chea
- Chean
- Cheane
- Cheaney
- Cheang
- Cheany
- Cheen
- Cheene
- Chegne
- Chein
- Cheine
- Chen
- Chenai
- Chenay
- Chene
- Cheneau
- Chenh
- Chenia
- Chenie
- Chenn
- Chenna
- Chenu
- Cheny
- Cheon
- Cheun
- Cheyne
- Chhana
- Chian
- Chiana
- Chiano
- Chien
- Chiene
- Chin
- China
- Chinai
- Chine
- Chinea
- Chini
- Chinn
- Chinna
- Chinni
- Chino
- Chion
- Chionna
- Chiono
- Choan
- Choen
- Chohan
- Choin
- Choina
- Choine
- Chon
- Chona
- Chone
- Choon
- Chooneea
- Choun
- Choune
- Chowhan
- Chown
- Chowne
- Chuan
- Chuen
- Chuhan
- Chun
- Chune
- Chuni
- Chunn
- Chunu
- Chyne
- Chynn
- Cian
- Ciane
- Ciani
- Cianni
- Ciano
- Schaan
- Schan
- Schanck
- Schane
- Schang
- Schank
- Schanno
- Schans
- Schanz
- Shaan
- Shaeen
- Shaen
- Shain
- Shaine
- Shan
- Shana
- Shane
- Shanes
- Shani
- Shann
- Shanna
- Shanne
- Shans
- Shanu
- Shaon
- Shaun
- Shawn
- Shayne
- Sheahn
- Shean
- Sheane
- Sheans
- Sheean
- Sheen
- Sheena
- Sheene
- Shein
- Shen
- Shenai
- Shene
- Shenn
- Shennie
- Shenoi
- Sheun
- Shian
- Shiani
- Shien
- Shin
- Shina
- Shine
- Shinie
- Shinn
- Shinnie
- Shino
- Shiono
- Shoen
- Shon
- Shona
- Shone
- Shonia
- Shonn
- Shono
- Shoon
- Shown
- Shuan
- Shuen
- Shun
- Shunn
- Shyne
- Shynn
- Skhean
- Tchan
- Tchana
- Tchen
- Xhani
- Zhan
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.