Find out how popular the last name Herlin is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Herlin.

Herlin, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Herlin surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Herlin in America

Herlin is the 119644th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Herlin surname appeared 134 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Herlin.

The history of the last name Herlin

The surname Herlin has its origins in Northern Europe, particularly in the regions that are now France and the Low Countries. It appears to have first been recorded in the medieval period, around the 12th century. The name is derived from Old Germanic and Old French roots, potentially linked to the personal name Herlwin or Herluin, which itself has elements connected to the Germanic words "heri" (meaning army) and "lewin" (meaning treasured).

Historical references to the name Herlin begin to appear in records from the High Middle Ages. One such early reference is the town of Herlin-le-Sec in Pas-de-Calais, France, noted in various medieval manuscripts. This lineage suggests that the name may have originally been a toponymic surname, referring to people who hailed from this geographical location.

The earliest documented instances of the surname include Nicholas Herlin, who was recorded in 1275 in French feudal documents. Another significant mention is Pierre Herlin, who was a notable miller in the region of Picardy in the late 14th century. These historical records affirm that the surname was well established in Northern France by this time.

In the 15th century, Herlin was also a surname found in Bruges, Belgium. One notable person from this era is Jan Herlin, a renowned merchant who played an essential role in Bruges' bustling trade network. His contributions to the city's commerce are documented in local guild records from the 1470s, marking his importance in the economic history of the region.

An important historical figure with the surname is Jacques Herlin, a French actor born in 1927 and passed away in 2014. Known for his substantial contributions to film and theatre, Jacques Herlin built a remarkable career spanning several decades, leaving a lasting legacy in the arts.

The surname Herlin also appeared in various ecclesiastical records. François Herlin, born in 1604, was a priest and scholar known for his extensive work on theological manuscripts. His academic endeavors are recorded in the archives of several monastic libraries in Northern France.

Another significant bearer of the surname was Hubert Herlin, a Flemish painter active in the early 17th century. His works, characterized by their detailed religious iconography, contributed significantly to the Flemish Baroque art movement. Historical art catalogs from the era frequently cite his paintings, solidifying his contribution to European art history.

Overall, the surname Herlin has a rich history embedded in the cultural and economic fabric of medieval and early modern Europe. Predominantly originating in Northern France and the Low Countries, its bearers have been influential in various fields, including commerce, theology, and the arts, spanning several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Herlin

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Herlin.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Herlin was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Herlin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Herlin, please contact us.

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