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

Nilan, 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 Nilan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nilan in America

Nilan is the 46138th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nilan surname appeared 462 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 Nilan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nilan 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 Nilan

The surname Nilan has its origins in Ireland, with the name first appearing in records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "Nialláin," which translates to "champion" or "brave warrior." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon a person of great courage or military prowess.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history. In this document, the name is spelled "Ó Niallán," indicating its Celtic roots and the prefix "Ó," which means "descendant of."

During the Middle Ages, the Nilan family is said to have originated in the province of Connacht, particularly in the counties of Galway and Mayo. The name was also commonly found in the neighboring counties of Sligo and Leitrim, suggesting that the family had a strong presence in the western regions of Ireland.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the name Nilan was Tadhg Ó Niallán, a skilled Irish harpist and composer. His work played a significant role in preserving and promoting traditional Irish music during a time when it faced suppression from English rule.

Another prominent individual with the surname Nilan was Séamus Ó Niallán, a renowned Irish poet who lived in the 18th century. His collection of poems, entitled "Dánta Séamuis Uí Niallán," is considered a valuable contribution to the preservation of the Irish language and culture.

In the 19th century, James Nilan, a native of County Mayo, emigrated to the United States and became a successful businessman in New York City. He is remembered for his philanthropic efforts, particularly his support for Irish immigrant communities and the establishment of educational institutions.

Throughout history, variations of the spelling have been used, such as Neelan, Neilan, and O'Nilan, reflecting the evolution of the name over time and the influence of different regional dialects within Ireland.

While the surname Nilan may not be as widely known as some others, it holds a rich history deeply rooted in Irish heritage, reflecting the courage, artistry, and resilience of those who have borne this name throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nilan

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

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

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

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