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

Mullis, 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 Mullis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mullis in America

Mullis is the 3954th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mullis surname appeared 9,003 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Mullis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mullis to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Mullis

The surname Mullis is believed to have originated in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. The name is derived from an Old English word "mullian," which means "to crumble" or "to break into pieces." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to an occupation or a characteristic associated with someone who worked with materials that required crumbling or breaking, such as a miller or a stonemason.

One of the earliest known references to the Mullis surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were administrative records compiled for the government of King Edward I. The name is listed as "Molyn" in these records, and it is believed to have been an early variation of the Mullis surname.

During the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, including "Mullen," "Mullins," and "Mollins," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that period. One notable figure from this era was John Mullen, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London, who lived in the latter half of the 14th century.

As the centuries progressed, the Mullis surname became more firmly established in various regions of England. In the 16th century, records show the name appearing in counties such as Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, often linked to small villages and hamlets.

One of the earliest known individuals with the Mullis surname was William Mullis, born in 1567 in Littleton, Worcestershire. He was a landowner and farmer who played a role in local affairs during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the Mullis surname gained further recognition with the birth of James Mullis (1724-1799), a renowned clockmaker from Lincolnshire. His clocks were highly prized for their craftsmanship and accuracy, and some of his works can still be found in museums and private collections today.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Mullis (1786-1864), an English writer and poet. Her works, which often explored themes of nature and spirituality, were published in various literary journals and anthologies of her time.

The 19th century saw the Mullis name spread further across the United Kingdom and beyond. One prominent individual from this period was John Mullis (1829-1904), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Liverpool. He made significant contributions to the city's development and was known for his charitable initiatives.

Throughout its history, the Mullis surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, and military personnel. While not an exhaustive list, these examples provide a glimpse into the rich heritage and diverse backgrounds associated with this name over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mullis

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

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 Mullis 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Mullis has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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