Bulger
A nickname-derived surname referring to someone with a large, bulging belly or someone who was short and stout.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,010 Americans carry the last name Bulger. That puts it at #9,427 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.17 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 85,475 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bulger surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
4.0K
1 in 85,475
Census rank
#9,427
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,450 bearers of the surname Bulger in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.17 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 9427th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bulger, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.7%. The next largest groups are Black (10.5%) and Hispanic (2.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of 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.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bulger
Among Census respondents with the surname Bulger, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.7%. The next largest groups are Black (10.5%) and Hispanic (2.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Bulger bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Bulger surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White84.7%
- Black or African American10.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.7%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bulger surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #9,427 | #9,427 | 0.0% |
| Count | 3,450 | 3,450 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.17 | 1.17 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bulger bearers went from 3,450 to 3,450 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #9,427 to #9,427.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bulger
FAQ
Bulger surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bulger?
The surname Bulger holds position #9,427 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,010 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.17 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bulger surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bulger, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.7%. The next largest groups are Black (10.5%) and Hispanic (2.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.