Polous last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Polous

A Greek surname referring to someone from the city.

Polous, 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 Polous surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Polous in America

Polous is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Polous surname appeared 111 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 Polous.

The history of the last name Polous

The surname "POLOUS" is of Greek origin, and it can be traced back to the Byzantine era, around the 9th century AD. The name is believed to be derived from the Greek word "polous," which means "many" or "numerous." This suggests that the name may have been given to families with a large number of members or those who were known for their fertility.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a Byzantine manuscript from the 11th century, where a nobleman named Nikephoros Polous is mentioned. This document provides valuable insight into the use of the name during that period.

In the 13th century, a village named Polous existed in the region of Thessaly, in central Greece. It is possible that the surname originated from this place name, as it was a common practice for people to adopt surnames based on their place of origin.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over Greece, which lasted from the 15th to the 19th century, the surname Polous continued to be used. Several historical records from this period mention individuals bearing this name, indicating its endurance over time.

One notable figure with the surname Polous was Ioannis Polous, a Greek scholar and philosopher who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his work on ancient Greek literature and his contributions to the intellectual discourse of the time.

In the 18th century, a prominent military leader named Georgios Polous played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. His bravery and leadership were celebrated, and his name has been recorded in historical accounts of the conflict.

Another notable individual with the surname Polous was Sophia Polous, a pioneering female writer and activist who lived in the 19th century. She was a vocal advocate for women's rights and education, and her works shed light on the social and cultural issues of her time.

As the centuries passed, the surname Polous continued to be carried by families across Greece and the Greek diaspora around the world. While the name may have evolved in spelling or pronunciation over time, its Greek roots and historical significance remain intact.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Polous

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

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 Polous was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 96.40% 107
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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

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

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"Polous last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/polous-surname-popularity/.

"Polous last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/polous-surname-popularity/. Accessed 6 July, 2025

Polous last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/polous-surname-popularity/.

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