Tran Last Name Origin: Meaning, Roots, & Popularity

Michelle Wilson - August 11, 2022

Anyone wanting to uncover the history of their last name, look no further. In this article, we’ll look into the name, origin, and meaning of the surname Tran. As with all surnames we have data for, the U.S. Census Bureau labels Tran as a name with more than 100 occurrences within the United States. Recent statistics reveal data for the Tran surname from the 2010 census.

Understanding the Origin and the Meaning of the Last Name Tran

Traditionally, the surname Tran is largely considered of Vietnamese extraction. It’s currently considered a derivation of the Chinese name Chen. More recently, many Chinese families have chosen to Tran version of the name as well, adding to its global popularity.

A known European Tran population also attaches the name to the Middle English variety Tryne. Tryne means bravery or guile. The surname may also derive from the Norse background, stemming from the word train (crane). This word was often used as a nickname to describe a birdlike individual. In 1243, an individual named Robert Tryne was recorded in the Assize Rolls for Durham. A charter witness named Thomas Tran was also listed in 1458.

Tran Surname of Chinese Descent

Alternatively, Tran may stem from the Chinese last name Chen. Chen originates in 1045-479 BC, a Zhou dynasty state. The Chen was one of the Southern Dynasties. Most Trans leaving China settled overseas in the last 400 years, originating from the Fujian and Guangdong provinces. The translation includes meanings of the following: to explain, to tell, old, stale, to lay out, to exhibit, and to narrate.

Building the Popularity of the Last Name

The popularity of the Tran name potentially started from the illustrious reign of the Tran Dynasty between 1225 and 1400 in Vietnam. In 1257, the Mongol conqueror Kublai Khan tried to sack the Tran Dynasty capital of Hanoi. The attack was repulsed, along with all subsequent episodes after this.

Vietnam remained under Tran rule until a discontented general seized the throne in 1400. The seizure had the Chinese coming to the Tran’s aid rather than aiding China-occupied Vietnam. Essentially this action ended the Tran Dynasty. In 1428, the Chinese were forced back to Vietnam, and a new dynasty took hold.

Notable Members of the Tran Family

Tran Thai Tong was a notable member of the family. He was the first monarch of the Tran dynasty, with Thai Tong ruling for 33 years before stepping aside in favor of his son. During the son’s rule, many considered Tran Hoang a prodigious writer and wise ruler.

Where Does the Name Tran Rank in the Most Common U.S Names?

According to recent reports, the surname Tran ranked #132 in terms of commonality in America. The Tran surname appeared 188,498 times in the census. The ancestry of people with the surname Tran includes a vast majority of non-Hispanic Asian or pacific islanders only.

Famous People with Last Name Tran

Karrueche Tran

Karrueche Tran was born on May 17, 1988. She is an American actress and model, staring as Vivian Johnson in the web series The Bay. She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for producing the series, with another Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program in 2021. The win made her the first person of Asian Pacific American descent to win an Emmy for Lead Actress.

Levy Tran

Levy Tran was born on November 16, 1983. Known initially as Vy Le Tran, she is an American model and actress. She is best known for her role in the 2018 film The First Purge, playing Roenick. Additionally, she’s been a guest hostess for MTV’s Guy Code and played the role of Desi Nguyen in MacGyver. She also appeared as the race starter in the 2015 film Furious 7.

Kelly Marie Tran

Kelly Marie Tran was born on January 17, 1989. She is an American actress who began acting in 2011. Most of her roles include short films and television. She built a global prominence with her role as Rose Rico in Star Wars, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. She also voiced Raya in the Disney film Raya and the Last Dragon. Finally, she voiced Dawn Betterman in the DreamWorks Animated film The Croods: A New Age.

Natalie Tran

Natalie Tyler Tran is a Vietnamese blogger, born July 24, 1986. She’s known online for her interactive content, starting the brand community channel. She’s a comedian, actress, and YouTuber. She’s best known for the comedy videos in which she discusses everyday issues.

Tram-Anh Tran

Tram-Anh Tran was born on April 17, 1979. She is a former Vietnamese-American actress that specialized in children’s programming. She was best known for her role as Tina Nguyen on the PBS television show, Ghostwriter.

Tran Nguyen Uyen Linh

Tran Nguyen Uyen Linh was born on December 31, 1987. She is a Vietnamese pop singer who won the third season of Vietnam Idol in 2010. Since then, Tran has released a single and has held a few performances. Currently, she released two albums, both of which did well and furthered her popularity.

Andy T. Tran

Andy T. Tran is an American actor born and raised in Houston, TX. His love of the arts came from his father, a gifted musician and artist. After graduating from I.H. Kempner High School, he studied electrical and computer engineering. After joining a few film and theatre classes, he fell in love with acting and storytelling. He wrote, acted, and directed several award-winning comedy sketches in several talent shows. From there, he landed his first paid position, helping at a local comedy troupe in 2008.

Things to Consider When Learning More About Your Family Surname

It’s important to remember that different variations and spellings will exist, depending on where your ancestors originated. For some, the original last name started as Chen, a typical Chinese surname (and one of the most popular surnames in Asia. Chen is currently the 5th most common last name in mainland China but has become the 4th most common name worldwide. With the various spellings and pronunciations, approximately 80-100 million people are surnamed Chen or Tran globally.

Consider Your Family Tree When Learning About Your History

The origins of your name may not match the outlined profiles above, making your family a unique version of an otherwise common last name. Although learning the origin of your surname is an exciting and engaging experience, it’s always easiest to start learning about your past with a family tree. Talk to the elder members in your family about where they came from and work your way back.