Dullea
A variant of the French surname D'Olier or D'Oulier, which likely originated as a locational surname.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 548 Americans carry the last name Dullea. That puts it at #45,495 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.16 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 625,464 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Dullea 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
548
1 in 625,464
Census rank
#45,495
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
470
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 470 bearers of the surname Dullea in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 45495th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Dullea, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.9%) and Hispanic (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Dullea
The surname Dullea has its origins in Ireland, with records indicating its presence as early as the 12th century. It is believed to be an Anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Dulaidhe, which translates to "descendant of Duluigh," with the latter being a personal name derived from the word "dull," meaning "obstinate" or "stubborn."
One of the earliest known mentions of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. This document records a Domhnall Ó Dulaidhe, a chieftain from County Sligo, who was involved in a conflict with the O'Connors in the year 1249.
The Dullea surname appears to have been most prominent in the western counties of Ireland, particularly in Sligo, Mayo, and Galway. Some variations in spelling, such as Dulley and Dullye, can be found in historical records, reflecting the evolution of the name over time.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Tadhg Ó Dulaidhe was a renowned poet and scholar from County Mayo. His works, which were written in the Irish language, are still studied and appreciated by scholars of Irish literature today.
Another prominent individual with the Dullea surname was Brian Dullea, a 17th-century landowner from County Sligo. He was known for his involvement in the Irish Rebellion of 1641, a significant event in Irish history.
The 18th century saw the birth of John Dullea (1737-1821), a Catholic priest and educator from County Mayo. He played a vital role in establishing schools and promoting education in his local community during a time when Catholic education was suppressed in Ireland.
In more recent times, the name Dullea has been carried by notable individuals such as Keir Dullea, an American actor born in 1936, best known for his role in the iconic film "2001: A Space Odyssey." Additionally, there was Patrick Dullea (1908-1995), an Irish politician who served as a member of the Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) from 1957 to 1969.
While the Dullea surname may have originated in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to Irish emigration. However, its roots remain firmly planted in the western counties of Ireland, where the name has been a part of the local history and culture for centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Dullea
Among Census respondents with the surname Dullea, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.9%) and Hispanic (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Dullea 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 Dullea surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.0%
- Two or more races1.9%
- Unknown or suppressed1.1%
- Hispanic or Latino1.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Dullea 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #43,232 | #45,495 | -5.2% |
| Count | 471 | 470 | -0.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.17 | 0.16 | -5.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Dullea bearers went from 471 to 470 (-0.2% change). The surname moved down 2,263 positions in the national ranking, going from #43,232 to #45,495.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Dullea
FAQ
Dullea surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Dullea?
The surname Dullea holds position #45,495 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 548 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Dullea surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Dullea, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.9%) and Hispanic (1.1%). 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.