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

Nugen, 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 Nugen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nugen in America

Nugen is the 51723rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nugen surname appeared 402 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 Nugen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nugen 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 Nugen

The surname Nugen has its origins in Ireland, where it first appeared in the early 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Irish word "nuagán," which means "little cloud" or "little saint." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone of a particularly pious or holy nature.

In its earliest recorded forms, the name was spelled as Nuagán, Nuagáin, or Nuagayn. Over time, it evolved into various anglicized spellings such as Nugen, Nugent, and Newgent. These variations likely arose as the name spread to different regions of Ireland and as it was recorded by English scribes and record-keepers.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name dates back to the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions a "Nuagán mac Tomaltaigh" in the year 1251. This individual was likely a member of the powerful Nugent family, who held lands and titles in Counties Westmeath and Longford.

Sir Gilbert de Nugent, born around 1170, was a prominent figure during the Norman invasion of Ireland. He was granted lands in County Westmeath and became the founder of the Nugent family in Ireland. His descendants played significant roles in Irish history throughout the medieval and early modern periods.

Another notable figure bearing this surname was Sir Richard Nugent, Earl of Westmeath (1583-1642), who was a leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. He was eventually captured by English forces and executed for his involvement in the rebellion.

In the 17th century, a branch of the Nugent family emigrated to America, where they settled in Maryland. One of the earliest recorded Nugens in the American colonies was Thomas Nugen, who arrived in Maryland in 1665.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, several individuals with the surname Nugen made significant contributions in various fields. For example, Robert Nugen (1741-1828) was a renowned Irish-American merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of several churches and schools in Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth Nugent (1759-1824), an Irish novelist and poet, was a notable literary figure of her time. Her works explored themes of romance, virtue, and social commentary.

While the surname Nugen may have originated in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, reflecting the migration and diaspora of Irish people over the centuries. Despite its variations in spelling, the name remains a testament to its rich historical roots and the journey of those who have carried it through time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nugen

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

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

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

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