Find out how popular the last name Bulger is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bulger.

Bulger, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bulger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bulger in America

Bulger is the 9427th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bulger surname appeared 3,450 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Bulger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bulger to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bulger

The surname Bulger is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "bulgra," which means "bag" or "leather pouch." This occupational name was likely given to those who were involved in the trade of making or selling bags and pouches.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bulger can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Bulgar," suggesting its ancient lineage.

During the 13th century, the Bulger family settled in various regions across England, including Yorkshire, Leicestershire, and Cambridgeshire. Historical records from this period show variations in the spelling of the name, such as "Bulger," "Bulgar," and "Boulger."

In the late 14th century, a notable figure named John Bulger (c. 1350-1420) was recorded as a merchant and landowner in the city of York. He played a significant role in local affairs and left a substantial estate upon his passing.

Another prominent individual with the Bulger surname was Sir Edward Bulger (1586-1645), a Member of Parliament during the reign of King Charles I. He was a staunch Royalist and fought for the King's cause during the English Civil War.

The Bulger name has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Bulger Hill in Staffordshire and Bulger's Green in Middlesex. These locations likely derived their names from early Bulger families who settled in those areas.

In the 19th century, the Bulger family spread across the globe, with many members immigrating to the United States, Canada, and Australia in search of new opportunities. Notable individuals from this period include:

1. John Bulger (1803-1867), an Irish-American politician who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
2. William Bulger (1873-1948), a Scottish-American architect known for designing several notable buildings in New York City.
3. Jane Bulger (1822-1890), an English novelist and poet whose works explored themes of social injustice and women's rights.

Throughout history, the Bulger surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, politicians, architects, and authors. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has since spread worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of human history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bulger

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bulger.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bulger was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bulger has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bulger was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bulger, please contact us.

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