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

Mel'Rath, 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 Mel'Rath surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Mel'Rath in America

Mel'Rath is the 149328th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mel'Rath surname appeared 101 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 Mel'Rath.

The history of the last name Mel'Rath

The surname Melrath is of Gaelic origin, with its roots firmly planted in the regions of Ireland and Scotland. The etymology of Melrath can be traced back to the Old Gaelic elements where "mell" or "mael" means "bald" or "chieftain," and "rath" signifies a "fort" or "dwelling place." This combination suggests that the name may have initially described someone who was associated with or lived near a prominent settlement or fort.

Throughout the medieval period, surnames began to stabilize and be recorded more frequently in written documents. In Ireland, the early instances of the surname can be found in various monastic and parish records, reflecting its association with land-owning families of some standing. The name appears to have had several local variations, including spellings such as Maelrath, Malerath, and Melrath.

One early recording of the name Melrath is found in a 13th-century manuscript from County Antrim in Ireland. This record details the lineage and land ownership of a family bearing the name, hinting at their significance in the region. In Scotland, similar records can be traced back to the early 14th century, with Melrath appearing in land charters and feudal documents.

Among notable individuals bearing this surname, John Melrath of County Donegal, born in 1453 and dying in 1527, was a significant figure in local politics. He was involved in several land transactions and also played a role in regional defense during turbulent times. Similarly, another important individual was Margaret Melrath, a landowner and benefactor in County Mayo, whose philanthropic activities were recorded in the early 1600s.

The 17th and 18th centuries saw the propagation of the Melrath surname across both Ireland and Scotland, often linked with landowning and agricultural communities. Robert Melrath, born in 1689 and died in 1742, was renowned for his efforts to improve agricultural practices in his region, receiving mentions in agricultural surveys of the time.

Moving into the 19th century, William Melrath, born in 1825 and passing in 1887, was a notable author and historian who contributed significantly to documenting the local histories of County Kilkenny. His works have been preserved in various historical societies and libraries, providing valuable insights into the surname's lineage.

The surname Melrath, with its roots deep in Gaelic culture, has a rich history interwoven with the regions of Ireland and Scotland. The name's origins denote a strong association with important settlements, reflective of the communities that bore the name through the ages. Prominent figures like John Melrath, Margaret Melrath, Robert Melrath, and William Melrath stand as testaments to the enduring legacy of this surname in history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mel'Rath

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Mel'Rath.

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 Mel'Rath 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 Mel'Rath was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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