Timlin
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "the timely or fortunate meadow."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,268 Americans carry the last name Timlin. That puts it at #23,576 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.37 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 270,311 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Timlin 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
1.3K
1 in 270,311
Census rank
#23,576
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,077 bearers of the surname Timlin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.37 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 23576th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Timlin, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (1.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Timlin
The surname Timlin finds its origins in Ireland, emerging in the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Irish Gaelic word "timcheall," which translates to "around" or "circuit." The name likely referred to someone who lived near a circular enclosure or settlement.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Timlin appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The entry mentions a "Timlin O'Donnell" who was a member of the O'Donnell clan, a prominent family in County Donegal.
The Timlin surname was particularly concentrated in the northern counties of Ireland, such as Antrim, Derry, and Tyrone. However, it also had a presence in other parts of the country, including County Cork.
In the 17th century, a notable figure named Thomas Timlin (1633-1704) was a Protestant minister and author who served as the Dean of Ardagh in County Longford. His works included religious treatises and sermons.
During the 18th century, the name Timlin appeared in various records, including parish registers and land deeds. One example is John Timlin (1725-1795), a landowner from County Tyrone, whose estate was mentioned in the Griffith's Valuation, a 19th-century survey of property values in Ireland.
In the 19th century, the Timlin surname gained recognition through the achievements of individuals like William Timlin (1810-1886), a successful businessman and philanthropist from County Antrim. He made substantial donations to educational institutions and charitable organizations.
Another notable figure was Patrick Timlin (1842-1921), a Irish-American Catholic priest who served as the Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He played a significant role in the growth of the Catholic Church in northeastern Pennsylvania.
As the Irish diaspora spread worldwide, the Timlin surname traveled to various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic traditions of Ireland.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Timlin
Among Census respondents with the surname Timlin, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (1.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Timlin 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 Timlin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.6%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
- Two or more races1.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Timlin 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 | #23,576 | #23,576 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,077 | 1,077 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Timlin bearers went from 1,077 to 1,077 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #23,576 to #23,576.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Timlin
FAQ
Timlin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Timlin?
The surname Timlin holds position #23,576 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,268 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.37 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Timlin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Timlin, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (1.4%). 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.