Harlan
From an English place name meaning "hare land," or from a German place name meaning "rock land."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 13,162 Americans carry the last name Harlan. That puts it at #3,188 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.84 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 26,041 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Harlan 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
13K
1 in 26,041
Census rank
#3,188
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
3.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
11K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 11,339 bearers of the surname Harlan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.84 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3188th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Harlan, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.7%. The next largest groups are Black (8.5%) and Hispanic (2.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Harlan
The surname Harlan has its origins in medieval England, derived from the Old English words "hara" meaning hare and "lan" meaning a small clearing or meadow. It is believed to have originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a clearing frequented by hares.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Harlan name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Harlene" in reference to a location in Oxfordshire. The name likely evolved from this place name, with various spellings such as Harlene, Harleyne, and Harlayne appearing in historical records throughout the Middle Ages.
In the 13th century, a notable figure named William de Harlayne was recorded as a landowner in Warwickshire. He is believed to be one of the earliest documented individuals with the Harlan surname.
During the 16th century, the Harlan family established themselves in Staffordshire, where they held estates and properties. John Harlan, born in 1554, was a prominent member of the family during this time and served as a magistrate in the county.
One of the most famous individuals with the Harlan surname was Sir Edward Harlan, born in 1624. He was a renowned English judge and Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of King Charles II. His legal expertise and decisions had a significant impact on English common law.
Another noteworthy Harlan was Michael Harlan, born in 1675, who was a prominent Quaker minister and author in Pennsylvania. He played a key role in the early Quaker community in the American colonies.
In the 18th century, the Harlan family expanded their presence in the American colonies, with several members settling in various regions. James Harlan, born in 1736 in Pennsylvania, was a soldier and surveyor who served during the American Revolutionary War.
Throughout its history, the Harlan surname has been associated with various place names, including Harlan County in Kentucky, Harlan Township in Ohio, and the town of Harlan in Iowa, among others. These place names serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Harlan family in different parts of the world.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Harlan
Among Census respondents with the surname Harlan, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.7%. The next largest groups are Black (8.5%) and Hispanic (2.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Harlan 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 Harlan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White83.7%
- Black or African American8.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native2.1%
- Two or more races2.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Harlan 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 | #3,084 | #3,188 | -3.4% |
| Count | 10,775 | 11,339 | 5.2% |
| Per 100K | 3.99 | 3.84 | -3.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Harlan bearers went from 10,775 to 11,339 (+5.2% change). The surname moved down 104 positions in the national ranking, going from #3,084 to #3,188.
FAQ
Harlan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Harlan?
The surname Harlan holds position #3,188 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 13,162 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.84 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Harlan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Harlan, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.7%. The next largest groups are Black (8.5%) 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.