Information About The Last Name "Chutkan" And Possible Indian (South Asian Nation) Sources For That Name

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - August 13, 2023

This pancocojams post presents information gleaned from several online sources about the last name (surname) "Chutkan" as well as information about possible Indian (South Asian nation) sources for that name.

In addition, this post presents some information about Federal Judge Tanya S. Chutkan who was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in 2014.

The content of this post is presented for etymological and historical purposes. 

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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A. INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAST NAME "CHUTKAN"

These online sources are quoted in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Online Sources #1
https://forebears.io/surnames/chutkan
"Chutkan Surname

The meaning of this surname is not listed.

1,994,173^rd Most Common surname in the World

Approximately 88 people bear this surname

MOST PREVALENT IN:

United States

HIGHEST DENSITY IN:

Jamaica

[…]

Where Does The Last Name Chutkan Come From? nationality or country of origin

The surname Chutkan (Hindi: छुटकन, Marathi: चुटकन) is found most frequently in The United States.

[…]

The surname Chutkan is most prevalent in The United States, where it is carried by 61 people, or 1 in 5,941,950. In The United States Chutkan is mostly concentrated in: Florida, where 72 percent reside, District of Columbia, where 8 percent reside and New York, where 7 percent reside. Excluding The United States Chutkan occurs in 3 countries. It also occurs in Jamaica, where 28 percent reside and Canada, where 1 percent reside.

Chutkan Last Name Statistics demography

In The United States those holding the Chutkan last name are 3.23% more likely to be registered Republicans than The US average, with 50% registered to vote for the political party.

[...] 

Phonetically Similar Names

Surname            Similarity              Worldwide Incidence      Prevalency

Chutkhan             93                                                   47           /

Chhutkan             93                                                    4             /

Chutckan             93                                                    2             /

Hutkan 92           85                                                     /

Chutckhan          88                                                     2             /

Chhutkann          88                                                     1             /

Chotkan              86                                                     763        /

Chitkan               86                                                     176        /

Chutkon              86                                                      23           /

Chutcan              86                                                      12           /”…

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Online Sources #2

https://www.nameslist.org/surname/Chutkan
"Family Name / Last Name: Chutkan

[…]

Origin: Unknown

Meaning: Currently, no meaning found for Chutkan

How popular is Chutkan?

Chutkan is a very rare surname, few people in United States have the family name and might be arised from United States. Around 55 people have been found who wears Chutkan as their family name. Few people around the world have Chutkan as their surname."

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Online Sources #3
https://www.mynamestats.com/Last-Names/C/CH/CHUTKAN/index.html
"Summary

CHUTKAN is ranked as the 335919th most popular family name in the United States with an estimated population of 42.

This name is in the 60th percentile, this means that nearly 40% of all the last names are more popular.

There are 0.01 people named CHUTKAN for every 100,000 Americans.

This name is most often used as a last name, 100% of the time.

[…]

Summary

The race and Hispanic origin distribution of the people with the name CHUTKAN is 38.8% White, 38.2% Hispanic origin, 19.6% Black, 2.2% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.2% Two or More Races, and 0.2% American Indian or Alaskan Native. These figures should be considered only as a rough estimate. The purpose of this graph is to compare the name's specific race and Hispanic origin distribution to the distribution in the general population of the US.

[…]

On this basis, the people with the name CHUTKAN have a higher likelyhood of being Hispanic origin and a lower likelyhood of being White.

[…]

Summary

The state with the most people named CHUTKAN is Florida where 21 people have this name.

District of Columbia is the state where you are most likely to meet a person named CHUTKAN, as 1.11 in every 100,000 Washingtonians have this name.

Highest percentile rank of any state for this name is 75th, this rank was reached in the states of Florida.

District of Columbia is the state with the biggest positive difference between the actual state population and the projected state population based on the national average. (where the blue bar extends past the yellow vertical line) with a difference of 6 more people than projected.

The state with the biggest negative difference is North Carolina (where the blue bar does not extend past the yellow vertical line) with a difference of 4,238 fewer people than projected.

[…]

The most popular full name is Larry CHUTKAN. 11.11% of all the people named CHUTKAN have this given name.

There are 20 first names associated with this last name."...
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note: That page includes a list of 20 given names that people with the last name Chutkan have. That list doesn't include the given name "Tanya" (The name of the Federal Judge in Donald Trump’s January 6^th case.).That list also doesn't include the given names of Judge Tanya S. Chutkan's parents and siblings that were included in her Wikipedia page.

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Online Sources #4
https://www.thebiohindi.com/chutkan-name-origin/ ""Chutkan Name Origin" by Harshad/Umang Patel
"Chutkan Name Origin

Introduction – Chutkan Name Origin

The surname “Chutkan” is of Indian origin, primarily found among people of Indian descent. To understand the history and evolution of this surname, we need to explore the cultural, linguistic, and historical factors that contributed to its formation and dissemination. In this comprehensive analysis, we will delve into various aspects, such as etymology, regional variations, migration patterns, and social influences, to shed light on the origin and evolution of the Chutkan surname.

1. Etymology of Chutkan

The first step in understanding the surname “Chutkan” is to explore its etymology. Etymology is the study of the origins of words and how their meanings have evolved over time. Unfortunately, finding the precise etymology of a surname can be challenging, as historical records may be limited or ambiguous.The name “Chutkan” appears to have its roots in Indian languages, likely Sanskrit or other ancient Indian languages. In many cases, Indian surnames are derived from given names, occupations, geographical locations, or community affiliations. As “Chutkan” is a surname rather than a common word, its etymology could be tied to any of these sources.

[…]

3. Historical Context:

Understanding the historical context is vital for comprehending the evolution of the Chutkan surname. Historical events, such as invasions, migrations, and social changes, have often influenced the formation and dissemination of surnames.India has a rich history of invasions and migrations by various groups, including Aryans, Persians, Greeks, and Central Asians, which led to intermingling of cultures and languages. These historical interactions might have contributed to the development of surnames like Chutkan.

[…]

4. Social Influences and Caste System:

India’s complex social structure, historically defined by the caste system, has played a significant role in shaping surnames. The caste system categorizes people into hierarchical groups based on their occupations, ancestry, and social status.Surnames often reflect the caste or community to which a person belongs. For instance, surnames ending with “-pati” are associated with Brahmins, “-Prasad” with Vaishyas, “-Singh” with Rajputs, etc. Understanding the social context and possible caste affiliations associated with the Chutkan surname can provide further insights into its origin.

[…]

8. Migration Patterns:

Studying migration patterns is crucial for understanding how the Chutkan surname might have spread across different regions. Indian history is marked by various waves of migration, both within the subcontinent and beyond its borders.For instance, during the British colonial period, Indians migrated to different parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia, taking their surnames with them. This diaspora might have contributed to the presence of the Chutkan surname in these regions.

[…]

21.  Diaspora and Global Dispersal:

As mentioned earlier, the Chutkan surname might have spread beyond India due to diaspora and global migration. By studying the presence of the Chutkan surname in various countries and regions outside India, researchers can gain insights into historical migration patterns and cultural interactions.The Chutkan diaspora might have preserved unique customs and traditions associated with the surname, contributing to the multicultural fabric of their adopted countries.”…

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B. POSSIBLE INDIAN NAMES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A SOURCE FOR THE LAST NAME CHUTKAN 
Three of websites that I quoted above indicate that the last name "Chutkan" is from India. However, none of those sites indicate that the name "Chutkan" is still found in India.

I wonder if the last name "Chutkan" is an adaptation of an Indian last name or place name. Here are some possibilities: (given in no particular order)

Chauhan
https://www.familyeducation.com/baby-names/name-meaning/chauhan

"Chauhan

Indian (northern states) : Hindu (Rajput) and Sikh name of great and ancient prestige but unknown meaning. There is a legend that the ancestor of this Rajput clan emerged from a sacrificial fire with four arms, and so it was associated with the Sanskrit word chatur- meaning ‘four’, but this is no more than folk etymology. Chauhan kings ruled in Rajasthan and in neighboring states, and conquered Delhi and its neighborhood in the 12th century. The Chauhans, along with the Solankis, the Paramaras, and the Pariharas, call themselves Agnikulas ‘Fire Tribes’. According to the Agnikula legend, after the original Kshatriyas had been exterminated by Parashurama (see Arora), the Brahmans found themselves in need of protection from the demons that were harassing them, and so they prayed and made a special sacrifice to the god Shiva for assistance. Then, through divine intercession, there emerged from the sacrificial fire the ancestors of the four Rajput clans known as the Fire Tribes, and they vanquished the demons. Historians believe that these tribes were in reality foreign tribes that entered India and defeated the original Kshatriyas. As they became the staunch defenders of the Hindu ideals, they were admitted into the prestigious Kshatriya rank by the Brahmans. A clan of the Porwal Banias have also adopted this name and, because of the prestige associated with it, it has been adopted in many other communities as well."

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Chokhani

https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=chokhani

[...]

Similar surnames: Lakhani, Chohan, Chauhan, Mohan, Holland, Khan, Kochan, Hohn, Dhanani:...
-snip-
Manish Chokhani is a notable person with that last name. "Mr. Chokhani is one of India’s most respected financial advisors. He was the CEO of Enam Securities, India’s leading investment bank that was the trusted “house banker” to several leading corporates."  https://www.enam.com/management-team.html

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Chutka [place name & name for proposed nuclear power plant]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chutka_Nuclear_Power_Plant
"The Chutka Nuclear Power Plant is a proposed nuclear power plant to be built on a 1,200 acres (490 ha) area, near Chutka Village of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh.[1][2] The site is near Kanha National Park, one of the tiger reserves of India and the largest national park of Madhya Pradesh state in India."...
-snip-
"Madhya Pradesh  Hindi: meaning 'central province') is a state in central India." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradesh

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C. INFORMATION ABOUT TANYA S. CHUTKAN
Online Source #1 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanya_S._Chutkan
"Tanya Sue Chutkan (born July 5, 1962) is a Jamaican-born American lawyer and jurist serving as a United States district judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. She is the judge overseeing the criminal trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump over his attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election, including the events leading up to the January 6, 2021, United States Capitol attack.

Early life

Chutkan was born on July 5, 1962, in Kingston, Jamaica.[1] Chutkan has a younger brother, Norman, and a younger sister, Robynne, both of whom are physicians. Her father Winston Chutkan is an Indo-Jamaican doctor, and her mother Noelle is an Afro-Jamaican who was one of the leading dancers at the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica.[2][3][4] Noelle is the daughter of Frank Hill, one of the founding fathers of the People's National Party. Noelle's sister, Jean Barnes, who is Chutkan's aunt, is the mother of former Liverpool and England footballer, John Barnes.[5][6]

Education and early career

Chutkan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 from George Washington University. She later attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was an associate editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. She graduated in 1987 with a Juris Doctor.[7]

[…]

Federal judicial service

On December 19, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Chutkan as a judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, a seat created pursuant to 104 Stat. 5089.[10][11] She received a hearing before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee on February 25, 2014.[12] On March 27, 2014, her nomination was reported out of committee by a voice vote.[13] On June 3, 2014, the United States Senate invoked cloture on her nomination by a 54–40 vote.[14] On June 4, 2014, her nomination was confirmed by a 95–0 vote.[15] She received her judicial commission on June 5, 2014.[9]

[…]

As of August 1, 2023, Chutkan is the judge overseeing the criminal trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump over his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, culminating in the events leading up to the January 6 Capitol attack.[41]”…
-snip-
Information About Indo-Jamaicans is given in the comment section below of this pancocojams post. 

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Online Source #2 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/us/politics/tanya-chutkan-trump-judge.html Judge in Trump Jan. 6 Trial Is Known for Tough Capitol Riot Sentences
A judge with a liberal background and significant criminal trial experience, Tanya S. Chutkan swiftly ruled against the former president in his 2021 attempt to keep White House papers secret from the congressional inquiry.

By Charlie Savage and Alan Feuer
Published Aug. 2, 2023

Updated Aug. 3, 2023
"When former President Donald J. Trump appears in court before Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on charges of conspiring to subvert American democracy, it will not be the first time she has dealt with high-profile questions related to Mr. Trump’s attempts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election.

Nearly two years ago, Judge Chutkan rejected Mr. Trump's efforts to prevent his White House records from being given to the House committee investigating his actions leading up to and during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by his supporters — delivering a swift and sharp rebuke about the limits of his ability as former president to invoke executive privilege.

“Presidents are not kings,” she wrote, “and plaintiff is not president.”

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Judge Chutkan came to the United States to attend college at George Washington University and obtained her law degree at the University of Pennsylvania. She spent more than a decade serving as a court-appointed lawyer for indigent clients and worked for a time at the white-shoe law firm Boies Schiller & Flexner before joining the federal bench in Washington in 2014.

She is married to Peter A. Krauthamer, a former associate judge of the Superior Court in the District of Columbia, which handles local criminal trials. The two met as public defenders in the District of Columbia, she said at her 2014 confirmation hearing, and have two sons.”…
-snip-
Click https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-obama-nominates-tanya-chutkan-for-us-district-court-judge for a 2013 press release entitled "President Obama Nominates Tanya Chutkan For U.S. District Court Judge, Following Norton's Recommendation.

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