Fillion
A French surname derived from the Latin "filius" meaning "son".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,611 Americans carry the last name Fillion. That puts it at #19,321 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.47 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 212,759 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fillion 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
1.6K
1 in 212,759
Census rank
#19,321
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.4K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,401 bearers of the surname Fillion in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.47 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 19321st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fillion, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fillion
The surname Fillion is of French origin, originating in the northern regions of France during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "filleul," meaning "godson" or "sponsor's son." This name likely began as a nickname or descriptive name given to someone who had a close relationship with their godparent or sponsor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fillion can be found in the Calendars of Documents preserved in the Archives of France, dating back to the 13th century. These records mention individuals with the surname Fillion residing in the regions of Normandy and Picardy.
In the 14th century, the name Fillion appeared in various historical records, such as tax rolls and parish registers, across northern France. It was often spelled in different variations, including Filion, Fillyon, and Fillionn, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time.
The name Fillion is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Jean Fillion, a renowned French philosopher and theologian who lived from 1569 to 1638. He was known for his works on biblical exegesis and was highly regarded in academic circles of his time.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Michel Fillion, a French architect and urban planner who lived from 1683 to 1759. He was responsible for the design and construction of several significant buildings and public spaces in Paris during the reign of King Louis XV.
In the 19th century, Louis Fillion (1817-1892) was a French Catholic priest and biblical scholar. He is best known for his multi-volume commentary on the Old Testament, which was widely acclaimed for its scholarly depth and attention to detail.
The name Fillion has also been associated with various place names across France. For example, the village of Fillionville in the Normandy region is thought to have derived its name from an early bearer of the Fillion surname who resided there or was influential in the area.
Additionally, the surname Fillion has been borne by several other notable individuals throughout history, including the French writer and journalist Camille Fillion (1837-1891), the Canadian actor and director Nathan Fillion (born in 1971), and the French composer and organist Jean-Baptiste Fillion (1821-1884).
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fillion
Among Census respondents with the surname Fillion, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Fillion 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 Fillion surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
- Two or more races1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Fillion 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 | #19,321 | #19,321 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,401 | 1,401 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.47 | 0.47 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Fillion bearers went from 1,401 to 1,401 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #19,321 to #19,321.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Fillion
FAQ
Fillion surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Fillion?
The surname Fillion holds position #19,321 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,611 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.47 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Fillion surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fillion, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (1.2%). 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.