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

Philbin, 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 Philbin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Philbin in America

Philbin is the 16833rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Philbin surname appeared 1,696 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Philbin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Philbin 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 Philbin

The surname Philbin has its origins in Ireland, where it emerged in the 12th century. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Filidh" or "Ó Filbín," which translates to "descendant of the poet" or "son of the philosopher." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals who were revered for their wisdom and literary talents.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the year 1189, the text mentions a certain "Ó Filidh" as a prominent scholar and poet. This historical reference underscores the name's connection to the realm of literature and intellectual pursuits.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Philbin, Philben, Philbyn, and Philben, as English scribes attempted to transcribe the Gaelic pronunciation. These variations were often influenced by regional accents and dialects.

The name Philbin has been closely associated with County Sligo in Ireland, where it was particularly prevalent in the region around Drumcliff. This area was known for its rich cultural heritage and literary traditions, making it an appropriate birthplace for a surname linked to poets and scholars.

Notable individuals bearing the Philbin surname include:

1. John Philbin (1785-1847), an Irish-born Catholic priest who served as the first Bishop of Raphoe in Ireland.
2. Mary Philbin (1903-1993), an American actress who appeared in several silent films during the 1920s, including "The Phantom of the Opera" (1925).
3. Reginald Philbin (1892-1973), a British actor known for his roles in films such as "The Four Feathers" (1939) and "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" (1943).
4. Patrick Philbin (1923-2012), an Irish hurler who played for the Kilkenny senior team and won four All-Ireland medals.
5. Regis Philbin (1931-2020), an American television personality and actor who hosted numerous popular shows, including "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

Throughout its history, the surname Philbin has maintained a strong association with Ireland and its rich cultural heritage, particularly in the realms of literature, scholarship, and intellectual pursuits. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the importance of preserving and celebrating one's ancestral roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Philbin

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

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

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

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