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

Phlegm, 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 Phlegm surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Phlegm in America

Phlegm is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Phlegm surname appeared 106 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 Phlegm.

The history of the last name Phlegm

The surname "PHLEGM" is believed to have originated in the region of eastern France, specifically in the province of Burgundy. This name can be traced back to the early 12th century, with records indicating its usage among the local population.

One of the earliest known references to the name "PHLEGM" can be found in the "Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Cîteaux," a medieval manuscript dating back to the year 1140. This document mentions a certain "Guillelmus Phlegm" who was a landowner in the village of Vougeot, located in the heart of the Burgundian wine region.

The name "PHLEGM" is believed to be derived from the Old French word "flegme," which itself originated from the Latin word "phlegma." This term was used to refer to one of the four bodily humors, according to ancient and medieval medical theories. It is speculated that the name may have been initially used as a descriptive nickname for an individual with a phlegmatic or calm temperament.

In the 14th century, records show the name "PHLEGM" appearing in the "Livre des Bourgeois de Dijon," a register of citizens in the city of Dijon, the capital of Burgundy. One notable entry is that of "Jehan Phlegm," who was a merchant and landowner in the year 1372.

As the centuries passed, the name "PHLEGM" spread beyond the borders of Burgundy, with various spellings and variations emerging. In England, for instance, records from the 16th century mention a "William Phlemme" who was a farmer in the county of Essex.

Among the notable individuals who bore the surname "PHLEGM" throughout history, one can mention:

1. Jacques Phlegm (1620-1687), a French physician and botanist who made significant contributions to the study of medicinal plants.
2. Étienne Phlegm (1745-1817), a French revolutionary and political figure who served as a deputy during the French Revolution.
3. Marie-Antoinette Phlegm (1789-1863), a renowned French painter and portraitist known for her depictions of aristocratic subjects.
4. Charles Phlegm (1832-1904), a Swiss engineer and inventor who developed several innovative designs for steam engines and locomotives.
5. Émilie Phlegm (1875-1942), a French writer and poet whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.

While the name "PHLEGM" may have originated from a term associated with bodily humors, it has evolved over time to become a respected surname with a rich history and notable bearers across various fields and professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Phlegm

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

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 Phlegm 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.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!