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

Mahlan, 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 Mahlan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mahlan in America

Mahlan is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mahlan surname appeared 100 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Mahlan.

The history of the last name Mahlan

The surname MAHLAN is believed to have originated in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the areas that are now part of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. The name traces its roots back to the ancient Sanskrit language, where it is thought to have been derived from the word "mahila," meaning "woman" or "wife." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals or families with some connection to women, perhaps through matrilineal descent or a specific occupation or trade related to women.

The earliest recorded instances of the MAHLAN surname can be traced back to the 8th and 9th centuries CE, during the height of the Islamic conquests in the region. Some historical records from this period, such as the "Tarikh-e-Yamini" and the "Chachnama," mention individuals bearing variations of the name, including "Mahlan" and "Mahlani." These early references suggest that the name may have been associated with certain prominent families or clans in the region at that time.

As the centuries passed, the MAHLAN surname spread across various parts of the Indian subcontinent and beyond, carried by individuals and families who migrated or were displaced due to political upheavals, conquests, and trade routes. One notable figure bearing this surname was Syed Mahlan Shah, a 14th-century Sufi saint and spiritual leader who lived in the region of present-day Sindh, Pakistan. His shrine and legacy have played a significant role in the cultural and religious traditions of the area.

Another prominent individual with the MAHLAN surname was Mir Abdul Karim Mahlan, a 17th-century poet and scholar from Multan, Pakistan. His works, which included poetry and literary critiques, earned him recognition and respect among the intellectual circles of his time.

In more recent history, the MAHLAN surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including academics, artists, and public figures. One such individual was Mumtaz Mahlan, a renowned Pakistani painter and artist who was born in 1924 and passed away in 2012. Her vibrant and expressive works, often depicting scenes from rural life and Islamic traditions, have been widely celebrated and exhibited both nationally and internationally.

Additionally, the MAHLAN surname can be found among individuals of South Asian descent living in various parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries with significant diaspora communities. While the name may have undergone slight variations in spelling or pronunciation over time, its rich historical roots and cultural significance remain deeply embedded in its origins from the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mahlan

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Mahlan 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 Mahlan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!