This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Bian family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Bian Family History

Bian Surname Meaning

Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 卞 meaning ‘rules’ or ‘hasty’ in ancient Chinese: from Bian (卞) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) in the state of Cao dating back to the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).

Mandarin form of the surname 邊 meaning ‘margin edge’ in Chinese: (i) from the second element of the personal name Zi Bian (子邊) style name of a prince of the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).

(ii) from Bian (邊) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Bian family from?

You can see how Bian families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Bian family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Bian families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1911 there were 13 Bian families living in Alberta. This was about 42% of all the recorded Bian's in Canada. Alberta had the highest population of Bian families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Bian surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Bian ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Seamstress were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Bian. 55% of Bian men worked as a Laborer and 50% of Bian women worked as a Seamstress. Some less common occupations for Americans named Bian were New Worker and Maid.

View Census Data for Bian | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    55%
  • Farmer
    28%
  • New Worker
    19%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Seamstress
    50%
  • Maid
    50%

What Bian family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 935 census records available for the last name Bian. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Bian census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Bian

Passenger Lists

There are 383 immigration records available for the last name Bian. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Bian immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 451 military records available for the last name Bian. For the veterans among your Bian ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Bian military records

You've only scratched the surface of Bian family history

Discover More

What is the average Bian lifespan?

Between 1973 and 2002, in the United States, Bian life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1982, and highest in 1983. The average life expectancy for Bian in 1973 was 70, and 79 in 2002.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Bian

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Bian ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Bian family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial