Mulgrew
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "mulgrewaidh" meaning tub-shaped hill or promontory.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 788 Americans carry the last name Mulgrew. That puts it at #33,567 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.23 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 434,967 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mulgrew 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
788
1 in 434,967
Census rank
#33,567
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
679
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 679 bearers of the surname Mulgrew in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 33567th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mulgrew, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mulgrew
The surname Mulgrew has its origins in Scotland, emerging in the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "mul" meaning "summit" or "hillock" and "cruaidh" meaning "hard" or "firm," suggesting the name was originally given to someone who lived on or near a rocky hill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a record of Scottish nobles who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England. Here, the name appears as "Mulgrew." Over time, variations in spelling emerged, such as Mulgrue, Mulgrieu, and Mulgrou.
The name is associated with the Scottish county of Argyll, particularly the area around Loch Lomond. In the 16th century, a prominent Mulgrew family owned lands near the village of Arrochar, situated on the western shores of the loch. Records from this period mention a John Mulgrew, who was born around 1520 and served as a local laird (landowner).
During the Scottish Wars of Independence in the 14th century, a Sir William Mulgrew is mentioned in chronicles as a valiant warrior who fought alongside Robert the Bruce. He is said to have been present at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where the Scots defeated the English forces of King Edward II.
In the 17th century, the Mulgrew name appears in the records of the Clan Campbell, one of the largest and most influential clans in the Scottish Highlands. A notable figure from this time was Duncan Mulgrew, born in 1640, who was a respected scholar and author of several works on Scottish history and culture.
Other notable individuals with the surname Mulgrew include:
1. Sir Patrick Mulgrew (1785-1864), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the textile industry.
2. Mary Mulgrew (1867-1938), a Scottish poet and novelist known for her works depicting life in the Highlands.
3. John Mulgrew (1892-1971), a Scottish-born American architect who designed several prominent buildings in New York City.
4. Catherine Mulgrew (1918-2008), a Scottish actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout the 20th century.
5. Kate Mulgrew (born 1955), an American actress best known for her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway on the TV series Star Trek: Voyager.
While the Mulgrew name has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread across the world, carried by emigrants and their descendants. However, its origins can be traced back to the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, where it was borne by generations of individuals who called those lands home.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mulgrew
Among Census respondents with the surname Mulgrew, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Mulgrew 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 Mulgrew surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races2.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mulgrew 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #33,567 | #33,567 | 0.0% |
| Count | 679 | 679 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Mulgrew bearers went from 679 to 679 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #33,567 to #33,567.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mulgrew
FAQ
Mulgrew surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mulgrew?
The surname Mulgrew holds position #33,567 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 788 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mulgrew surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mulgrew, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (2.1%). 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.