Filan
A surname likely linked to Italian or Spanish origins meaning "son of Filano."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Filan. That puts it at #74,375 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Filan 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
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#74,375
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
260
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 260 bearers of the surname Filan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 74375th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Filan, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Filan
The surname FILAN is of Irish origin, originating in the late 16th or early 17th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "fíoláin," meaning "a keeper of a vein or green road." This refers to the ancient practice of maintaining pathways through forests and wilderness areas.
FILAN is a variant spelling of the more common Irish surname Phelan or Whelan. The name was initially concentrated in the counties of Kilkenny, Laois, and Waterford in southeastern Ireland. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the FILAN spelling can be found in parish records from these regions in the 17th and 18th centuries.
One notable historical figure with this surname was James Filan (1736-1821), an Irish-born American soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War. He served under General George Washington and was present at the Siege of Yorktown, which effectively ended the war.
Another early bearer of the name was Patrick Filan (c. 1760-1840), a farmer and landowner from County Kilkenny. He is mentioned in several land deeds and property records from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
In the 19th century, the FILAN surname spread beyond Ireland as a result of the Irish diaspora. John Filan (1822-1897), born in County Laois, emigrated to Australia in the 1840s and became a prominent businessman and landowner in New South Wales.
Bridget Filan (1845-1920), born in County Waterford, immigrated to the United States in the 1860s and settled in Boston, Massachusetts. She is recorded in the 1870 U.S. Census as working as a domestic servant.
A notable literary figure with this surname was the Irish poet and playwright Michael Filan (1892-1968). He was born in County Kilkenny and is best known for his works exploring themes of Irish identity and rural life.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Filan
Among Census respondents with the surname Filan, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Filan 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 Filan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.4%
- Hispanic or Latino5.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Filan 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 | #74,375 | #74,375 | 0.0% |
| Count | 260 | 260 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Filan bearers went from 260 to 260 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #74,375 to #74,375.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Filan
FAQ
Filan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Filan?
The surname Filan holds position #74,375 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Filan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Filan, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.4%). 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.