Chen
A common Chinese surname, most often tracing back to an ancient state name that became a family name.
The #150 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 1,821 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Chen is a major Chinese surname, usually written 陳/陈 in modern Chinese. It is traditionally explained as going back to the ancient State of Chen, whose name was adopted by descendants and subjects as a hereditary surname after the state was absorbed. In that sense, the name is tied to place and polity rather than to a literal word meaning in English.
History
Chen is one of the most widespread surnames in China and among overseas Chinese communities. It has long been common in southern China as well as in diaspora populations across Southeast Asia, North America, and elsewhere. Because it is a very frequent romanization, the same spelling can represent different Chinese surnames depending on dialect and transcription system, though the best-known one is 陳/陈.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In modern Chinese surname lists, Chen is consistently ranked among the very most common family names in the world.
From the historical record
“i.iBo: FF, ii. tw. 1.103. John Chen«i7« patron of Barton^ 167s. John Clili^ry, rector of Breteo- I. Henry Chennerjr, mayor of Lynn”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances