Hogan
A surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Ó hÓgáin," meaning "descendant of Ógán" (a personal name meaning "young").
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 73,315 Americans carry the last name Hogan. That puts it at #536 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 21.39 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 4,675 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Hogan 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
73K
1 in 4,675
Census rank
#536
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
21.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
63K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 63,085 bearers of the surname Hogan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 21.39 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 536th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Hogan, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Hogan
The surname Hogan is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó hÓgáin, which means "descendant of Ógán". Ógán was a personal name derived from the Irish word "óg", meaning "young" or "youthful".
The name Hogan was primarily found in the counties of Tipperary, Kilkenny, and Laois in Ireland. Some early recorded variations of the spelling include Hogan, Hogyn, Hogane, and Hoggane. The name is believed to have originated in the barony of Forth in County Carlow, where the Ó hÓgáin family held lands.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hogan appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The annals mention a certain Donnchadh Ó hÓgáin, who was a poet and historian in the 14th century.
In the 16th century, the name Hogan was well-established in Ireland. Walter Hogan, a prominent landowner and member of the Irish Parliament, lived during this time period. He was born around 1520 and played a significant role in the Elizabethan wars in Ireland.
Another notable figure with the surname Hogan was John Hogan, an Irish sculptor born in 1800. He is best known for his neoclassical sculptures, including the famous "Dead Christ" and the statue of Thomas Moore in Dublin.
Michael Hogan, born in 1833, was an Irish-American priest and educator who served as the first president of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA. He played a crucial role in the development of the university during its early years.
In the 20th century, Ben Hogan, born in 1912, was a legendary American professional golfer. He is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and is known for his exceptional ball-striking ability and determination on the course.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals with the surname Hogan throughout history. The name has a rich Irish heritage and has been carried by many accomplished individuals in various fields over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Hogan
Among Census respondents with the surname Hogan, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Hogan 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 Hogan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White80.1%
- Black or African American14.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Hogan 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 | #488 | #536 | -9.8% |
| Count | 61,651 | 63,085 | 2.3% |
| Per 100K | 22.85 | 21.39 | -6.4% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Hogan bearers went from 61,651 to 63,085 (+2.3% change). The surname moved down 48 positions in the national ranking, going from #488 to #536.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Hogan
FAQ
Hogan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Hogan?
The surname Hogan holds position #536 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 73,315 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 21.39 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Hogan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Hogan, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%). 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.