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

Mulatu, 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 Mulatu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mulatu in America

Mulatu is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mulatu surname appeared 111 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 Mulatu.

The history of the last name Mulatu

The surname MULATU is of Ethiopian origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Amharic word "mulat," which means "to be born" or "to be given birth." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals born under specific circumstances or during significant events.

The earliest recorded instances of the name MULATU can be traced back to historical documents and manuscripts from the ancient Aksumite Empire, which ruled parts of modern-day Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen. One notable mention is found in the chronicles of the Solomonic dynasty, where a scholar named Mulatu Haile is cited for his contributions to the preservation of ancient texts.

During the reign of Emperor Zara Yaqob (1434-1468), the name MULATU gained prominence among the nobility and scholarly class. Mulatu Mengesha, a renowned poet and philosopher, is remembered for his work "The Wisdom of Zion," which explored the intersection of faith and reason.

In the 16th century, the name appears in records of the Jesuit missionaries who visited the Ethiopian highlands. Father Pedro Paez, a Spanish Jesuit, documented his encounters with a local chieftain named Mulatu Gebremichael, who played a pivotal role in facilitating the missionary's travels and interactions with the Ethiopian people.

The 18th century saw the rise of Mulatu Betul, a celebrated military leader who fought against the expansionist ambitions of the Egyptian Khedive in the region. His strategic prowess and unwavering determination earned him a place in the annals of Ethiopian history.

As the centuries progressed, the name MULATU continued to be carried by notable figures in various fields. Mulatu Astatke, born in 1944, is a renowned Ethiopian musician and composer, often credited as the father of Ethio-jazz, a unique fusion of traditional Ethiopian music and Western jazz influences.

While the surname MULATU has its roots firmly planted in Ethiopia, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its rich history and cultural significance remain deeply intertwined with the ancient lands of the Horn of Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mulatu

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

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 Mulatu 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 Mulatu was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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