Pollan
A surname derived from the Greek word "pollon" meaning "many," possibly referring to a prolific family.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 720 Americans carry the last name Pollan. That puts it at #35,671 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.21 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 476,048 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Pollan 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
720
1 in 476,048
Census rank
#35,671
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
630
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 630 bearers of the surname Pollan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 35671st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Pollan, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.3%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Pollan
The surname Pollan is believed to have originated in Italy and can be traced back to the medieval era. It is likely derived from the Italian word "polla," which translates to "chicken" or "hen." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname or occupational name to someone who raised or dealt with poultry.
One of the earliest known records of the surname Pollan dates back to the 13th century, where it appears in the historic Sicilian Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval documents from the island of Sicily. The name is also found in various town and village records from regions such as Calabria, Campania, and Puglia.
During the Renaissance period, the Pollan family gained prominence in the city of Naples, where they were involved in the trade and banking sectors. A notable figure from this era was Girolamo Pollan (1520-1587), a successful merchant and financier who played a significant role in the economic affairs of the Neapolitan kingdom.
In the 17th century, the Pollan name appeared in the records of the Spanish Inquisition, as some members of the family were accused of practicing Judaism in secret. This historical event sheds light on the religious persecution faced by certain individuals bearing this surname during that time.
Moving into the 18th century, the Pollan family continued to thrive in various parts of Italy. One noteworthy individual was Giovanni Battista Pollan (1732-1807), a renowned architect from Palermo who designed several churches and palaces in Sicily.
Another prominent figure with the Pollan surname was Giuseppe Pollan (1822-1891), an Italian politician and lawyer who served as a deputy in the Italian parliament and was actively involved in the unification of Italy.
As the centuries progressed, the Pollan name spread to other parts of Europe, and variations in spelling emerged, such as Pollani, Pollano, and Pollani. Despite these variations, the surname has maintained its Italian roots and continues to be carried by individuals of Italian descent around the world.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Pollan
Among Census respondents with the surname Pollan, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.3%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Pollan 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 Pollan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White89.7%
- Hispanic or Latino7.3%
- Two or more races1.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Pollan 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 | #35,671 | #35,671 | 0.0% |
| Count | 630 | 630 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Pollan bearers went from 630 to 630 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #35,671 to #35,671.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Pollan
FAQ
Pollan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Pollan?
The surname Pollan holds position #35,671 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 720 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Pollan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Pollan, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.3%) and Two or More Races (1.1%). 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.