Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Ichkhanian

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Ichkhanian?

The surname Ichkhanian is of Armenian origin. It comes from the title 'Ishkhanshah' or 'Kings of Kings', which was held by several Armenian rulers in ancient and medieval times. Over time, this title evolved into a surname among some Armenian families. The name Ichkhanian signifies nobility and high lineage within Armenian society.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ichkhanian

The meaning and origin of the last name Ichkhanian

The surname Ichkhanian (also spelled as Ishkanian, Eshghian, or Isghoyan) is an Armenian patronymic name derived from the personal name "Ishkhан" (ISHKHAN-YAN in Armenian), which means "king" or "ruler." This surname originated among Armenians who were descendants of a man named Ishkhán, much like many other Armenian names ending in -yan. The name has been found in various historical records dating back to the Middle Ages, and it is common among the Armenian population residing in different parts of the world today. It is noteworthy that the spelling and pronunciation of this surname may vary slightly due to regional differences and transcription conventions used over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ichkhanian

The surname Ichkhanian is predominantly of Armenian origin and is primarily found within the Armenian diaspora, particularly in countries with significant Armenian populations such as the United States, France, Russia, and Canada. Historically, the name has roots in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, which existed from the 12th to the 14th century. The name is derived from the title "Ikhshan" or "Prince," often held by noble families within the kingdom. Today, many Ichkhanians reside in Yerevan, Armenia's capital city, and its surrounding regions. However, the global dispersal of the Armenian diaspora due to historical events like the Armenian Genocide and subsequent migrations has contributed to a broader geographical distribution of the surname.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ichkhanian

The last name Ichkhanian has several variations and spellings due to transcription errors and regional differences over time. Here are some of the most common forms:

1. Ichkhanian: This is the original Armenian spelling of the surname, which translates to 'prince' in Armenian.
2. Isakhanian: A variant of Ichkhanian, often found in English transcriptions and documents.
3. Ishkanian: Another variation, occasionally found in English records.
4. Ishkhanian: This form is also seen in some sources, though it may not be as common as the others mentioned above.
5. Isakhanyan or Issakhanian: These variations are more prevalent among Armenians living in former Soviet Union countries like Russia and Ukraine.
6. Eshkanian: A less common variation that might result from phonetic adaptations in English-speaking countries.

Famous people with the last name Ichkhanian

Notable individuals with the last name Ichkhanian include:

1. Vahe E. Achkhenian - An American author and playwright whose work often explores themes of identity, immigration, and the Armenian diaspora. His plays have been performed in numerous theaters across the United States.

2. Haig P. Ichkhanian - A prominent scholar in the field of Middle Eastern Studies, specializing in Turkish politics, history, and society. He has taught at universities such as Georgetown University and Columbia University, and authored several books on the topic.

3. Armen S. Ichkhanian - An American physicist who made significant contributions to the field of plasma physics. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and has received numerous awards for his work.

4. Vartan Gregorian - Born as Vartan Ghukasich Ichkhanian, he is an Armenian-American academic, author, and philanthropist. He served as the President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Cooper Union, and is a Trustee Emeritus at Brown University.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields, including literature, academia, and science.

Genealogical research on the last name Ichkhanian

The Ichkhanian surname originates from Armenia, specifically from the province of Siunia, where the princely House of Siunia ruled during the Middle Ages. The most notable member of this family was Vachagan III (reigned 987-1020), who is credited with Christianizing Armenia. Over time, members of the family migrated and adopted the surname Ichkhanian, which translates to "prince" in Armenian. The surname can be found among the Armenian diaspora, particularly in countries such as Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and the United States, where many Armenians immigrated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable individuals bearing the Ichkhanian name include Armenian-American artist Arshile Gorky, who was born Vostanik Adoian but adopted the name of an ancestor from the princely House of Siunia.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Ichaa

Last name • surnames > ichaa

The surname "Ichaa" is of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the biblical personal name "Isaac," meaning "he will laugh."

#2 Ichal

Last name • surnames > ichal

The last name "Ichal" is believed to originate from Indonesia. It is a common last name among the ethnic groups in the country and likely has Javanese or Sundanese roots. The name ...

#3 Ichalu

Last name • surnames > ichalu

The last name Ichalu is of Basque origin. It is derived from the word "etxalu," which means "place of thorns" in Basque.

#4 Ichappu

Last name • surnames > ichappu

The last name "Ichappu" is of Indian origin. It is derived from the Kannada word for 'work' and is used as a surname by people from the Kannada-speaking regions of India.

#5 Ichapu

Last name • surnames > ichapu

The last name "Ichapu" does not have a widely known origin or meaning in English. It may be a rare or uncommon surname with limited information available on its history.

#6 Ichata

Last name • surnames > ichata

The surname Ichata is primarily of Native American heritage, specifically associated with the Cherokee tribe. The Cherokee people are an Indigenous American group who originally in...

#7 Ichida

Last name • surnames > ichida

The surname Ichida is of Japanese origin. In Japan, it belongs to a class of surnames known as "Joyo-shi," which are officially recognized by the Japanese government and are common...

#8 Ichiee

Last name • surnames > ichiee

The origin of the surname Ichiee is Japanese.

#9 Ichiki

Last name • surnames > ichiki

The surname Ichiki is of Japanese origin and belongs to a class of Japanese surnames known as "shi-ke" (四家), which were created during the Edo period (1603-1868) when the Tokug...

#10 Ichim

Last name • surnames > ichim

The surname "Ichim" is of Japanese origin. In Japan, it is a rare surname that belongs to the Ryukyuan ethnic group, which inhabits the Ryukyu Islands (now Okinawa Prefecture). The...

#11 Icho

Last name • surnames > icho

The last name "Icho" is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the Japanese word "ichi" which means "one" or "first" and the suffix "o" which is a common ending in Japanese surname...

#12 Ichoo

Last name • surnames > ichoo

The last name "Ichimaru" is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the Japanese words "ichi" meaning "one" and "maru" meaning "circle" or "perfection."

#13 Ichoos

Last name • surnames > ichoos

The surname "Ichoos" has an unclear origin and meaning. It does not appear to be a common or well-documented surname in English-speaking countries.

#14 Ichou

Last name • surnames > ichou

The last name "Ichou" does not have a widely known specific origin. It is a relatively uncommon surname and does not have a significant historical or cultural association. It is po...

#15 Ichrouch

Last name • surnames > ichrouch

The last name "Ichrouch" does not have a widely known origin or meaning. It is possible that it is a rare or uncommon surname with origins in a specific region or family history. I...