Explore the Family Name Chess
The meaning of Chess
English (Gloucestershire): of uncertain origin. Formally it might derive from Middle English ches, chesse (Old French esches) ‘chess’ (referring to the game, a set of chess pieces, or a chess board), or from Middle English chesse ‘(poppy) seed pod’. This surname is now rare in Britain.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Chess in the United States?
Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Chess has seen a slight decline in the past decade. In 2000, Chess was ranked as the 14,755th most popular surname in the United States with 1,846 individuals bearing this name, comprising a proportion of 0.68 per 100,000 people. However, by 2010, the rank had dropped to 16,481 and the count to 1,743, resulting in a reduced proportion of 0.59 per 100,000 people. This represents an overall change of -11.7% in ranking and -5.58% in count.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #14,755 | #16,481 | -11.7% |
| Count | 1,846 | 1,743 | -5.58% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.68 | 0.59 | -13.24% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Chess
When it comes to ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows variety among those with the surname Chess. In 2000, the majority of individuals with this surname identified as White (69.56%), followed by Black (26.65%). By 2010, while the majority still identified as White (68.27%), the percentage of those identifying as Black slightly increased to 27.14%. Meanwhile, individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander saw a significant increase from 0.38% in 2000 to 0.75% in 2010. The proportion of individuals identifying as Two or More Races and Hispanic also saw increases, while those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native decreased slightly.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 69.56% | 68.27% | -1.85% |
| Black | 26.65% | 27.14% | 1.84% |
| Two or More Races | 1.46% | 1.78% | 21.92% |
| Hispanic | 1.46% | 1.66% | 13.7% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.38% | 0.75% | 97.37% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.49% | 0.4% | -18.37% |