Explore the Family Name Chief
The meaning of Chief
Native American: translation into English (and shortening) of a personal name based on a word, such as Cheyenne veho, meaning ‘chief’. See also King 4.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Chief in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname "Chief" increased in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 85,996 in terms of frequency, but by 2010, its ranking had improved to 76,275. This represents an 11.3% increase in rank. The count of individuals with this surname also rose during this period, from 202 to 252, marking a 24.75% jump. Consequently, the proportion of the surname per 100,000 people also increased from 0.07 to 0.09, which represents a rise of 28.57%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #85,996 | #76,275 | 11.3% |
| Count | 202 | 252 | 24.75% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.07 | 0.09 | 28.57% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Chief
The data from the Decennial U.S. Census also reveals interesting shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the surname "Chief". It is most commonly found among the American Indian and Alaskan Native community, where its presence increased by 3.19% from 86.14% to 88.89%. Meanwhile, it decreased by 31.31% within the White community, from 6.93% to 4.76%. The surname also appeared within the Black community in 2010, though it was absent in 2000. Despite a decrease in the Asian/Pacific Islander community from 2.97% to 0, the group identifying as two or more races saw an increase from 2.48% to 2.78%. No Hispanic identities reported having this surname in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 86.14% | 88.89% | 3.19% |
| White | 6.93% | 4.76% | -31.31% |
| Two or More Races | 2.48% | 2.78% | 12.1% |
| Black | 0% | 1.98% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2.97% | 0% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |