Tran
The origin of the surname Tran
Trần derives from the character 陳; the Trần dynasty ruled medieval Vietnam.
How Vietnamese surnames work
Vietnamese names place the family name first, and a remarkably small set of surnames covers most of the population — Nguyễn alone is borne by roughly two-fifths of all Vietnamese, with Trần and Lê also very widespread, all tied to former ruling dynasties. Because so many people share so few surnames, the given name (which comes last) is the primary way individuals are identified and addressed, and a middle name traditionally added further distinction. Vietnamese surnames are usually written as single syllables.
Variants & spellings
- Trần
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Tran mean?
The surname Tran means To display, arrange (陳). Trần derives from the character 陳; the Trần dynasty ruled medieval Vietnam.
Where does the surname Tran come from?
Tran is a surname of Vietnamese origin.
What kind of surname is Tran?
Tran is a clan name surname.
How common is the surname Tran in the United States?
Tran is the 188th most common surname in the United States (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 136,095 people.