Palin
A Greek surname referring to a return, recurrence, or repetition.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,028 Americans carry the last name Palin. That puts it at #27,002 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.30 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 333,419 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Palin 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
1.0K
1 in 333,419
Census rank
#27,002
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
898
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 898 bearers of the surname Palin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.30 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 27002nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Palin, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.8%. The next largest groups are Black (12.3%) and Hispanic (6.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Palin
The surname Palin is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "pæling," which referred to a fence or palisade made of wooden stakes driven into the ground. This word later evolved into "paleing" or "paling," giving rise to the surname.
Historically, surnames derived from occupations were common, and Palin likely referred to someone who built or maintained palisades or fences. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries, such as the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire (1273) and the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire (1327).
One notable early bearer of the surname was John Palin, a prominent landowner in Oxfordshire, England, who was mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1334. Another early record is of Richard Palin, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire in 1380.
Over the centuries, the surname has undergone various spellings, including Palen, Pallyn, and Paulin, reflecting regional variations and the evolution of the English language.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in historical records associated with the village of Palin in Shropshire, suggesting a connection between the surname and this place name.
One of the most famous bearers of the Palin surname was William Palin, a renowned English architect and stonemason born in 1717. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings, including the Radcliffe Observatory in Oxford.
Another notable figure was Sir Joseph Palin, a British politician and Member of Parliament for Bury St. Edmunds from 1807 to 1830. He played a significant role in the debates surrounding the Reform Act of 1832.
In the literary world, Henry Palin (1825-1895) was a respected English poet and writer, known for his collections of poems and works of fiction.
The Palin surname has also been associated with the family of Michael Palin, the renowned British actor, writer, and member of the iconic Monty Python comedy troupe, born in 1943.
Throughout history, the Palin surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, from landowners and architects to politicians and artists, contributing to the rich tapestry of English heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Palin
Among Census respondents with the surname Palin, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.8%. The next largest groups are Black (12.3%) and Hispanic (6.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Palin 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 Palin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White77.8%
- Black or African American12.3%
- Hispanic or Latino6.1%
- Two or more races1.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Palin 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 | #27,002 | #27,002 | 0.0% |
| Count | 898 | 898 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Palin bearers went from 898 to 898 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #27,002 to #27,002.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Palin
FAQ
Palin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Palin?
The surname Palin holds position #27,002 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,028 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.30 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Palin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Palin, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.8%. The next largest groups are Black (12.3%) and Hispanic (6.1%). 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.