Mullan
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Maoláin, meaning "descendant of Maolán," a personal name meaning "little bald one."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,365 Americans carry the last name Mullan. That puts it at #14,631 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.69 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 144,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mullan 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
2.4K
1 in 144,928
Census rank
#14,631
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.0K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,034 bearers of the surname Mullan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.69 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 14631st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mullan, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.3%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mullan
The surname Mullan has its roots in Ireland, originating from the Gaelic word 'mullán', which means a small hill or summit. It is believed to have emerged as a toponymic surname, derived from a place name referring to a specific location associated with a hill or elevated ground.
During the Middle Ages, the name Mullan was predominantly found in the northern counties of Ireland, particularly in Ulster and parts of Connacht. It is recorded in ancient Irish annals and manuscripts, indicating its widespread use among Irish families.
One of the earliest known references to the name Mullan can be traced back to the 14th century, when it appeared in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of Irish history compiled by medieval Irish monks. This record suggests that the surname was well-established by that time.
In the 16th century, the surname Mullan was found in several historical documents, including the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, which were letters patent issued by the English Crown during the Tudor period. This indicates that the name was present among Irish families during the reign of the Tudor monarchs.
Notable individuals with the surname Mullan throughout history include:
1. Thomas Mullan (1786-1864), an Irish poet and songwriter from County Tyrone, renowned for his patriotic verses and ballads.
2. Dermot Mullan (1638-1708), an Irish Catholic priest and scholar who served as the Archbishop of Cashel from 1687 to 1708.
3. John Mullan (1832-1909), an Irish-American engineer and surveyor who played a crucial role in the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 19th century.
4. Elizabeth Mullan (1815-1892), an Irish-born Australian philanthropist and social reformer, known for her work in establishing schools and advocating for women's rights.
5. Terence Mullan (1914-1989), an Irish artist and painter renowned for his landscape paintings depicting the rugged beauty of the Irish countryside.
The name Mullan has also been associated with various place names throughout Ireland, such as Mullan, a townland in County Monaghan, and Mullan Hill, a prominent landmark in County Tyrone.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mullan
Among Census respondents with the surname Mullan, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.3%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Mullan 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 Mullan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.3%
- Hispanic or Latino4.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.9%
- Two or more races2.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.5%
- Black or African American1.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mullan 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 | #14,370 | #14,631 | -1.8% |
| Count | 1,910 | 2,034 | 6.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.71 | 0.69 | -2.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mullan bearers went from 1,910 to 2,034 (+6.5% change). The surname moved down 261 positions in the national ranking, going from #14,370 to #14,631.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mullan
FAQ
Mullan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mullan?
The surname Mullan holds position #14,631 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,365 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.69 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mullan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mullan, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.3%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.9%). 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.