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

Tolen, 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 Tolen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tolen in America

Tolen is the 23768th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tolen surname appeared 1,064 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 Tolen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tolen 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 Tolen

The surname Tolen has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "tol," meaning tax or toll, and the suffix "-en," indicating a place or location. This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals residing near a toll gate or a place where taxes or tolls were collected.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a certain William de Tolen is mentioned as a landowner. This reference suggests that the Tolen family held some prominence and landholdings during the medieval period in England.

In the 13th century, the Tolen surname appeared in various spellings, such as Tollyn, Tollyn, and Tolene, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. These alternative spellings can be found in historical records like the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273.

Notably, the Tolen name is recorded in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and wealth commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest. This entry solidifies the surname's presence in England during the 11th century.

Over the centuries, several individuals with the Tolen surname have left their mark on history. One notable figure was Sir John Tolen (c. 1420-1489), a prominent English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1472. He played a significant role in the city's governance and trade affairs during his tenure.

Another notable bearer of the Tolen name was Robert Tolen (1556-1625), an English clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of Peterborough from 1617 until his death. He was known for his theological writings and contributions to the Church of England.

In the realm of literature, William Tolen (1672-1736) was an English poet and playwright who gained recognition for his satirical works, including the play "The Provoked Husband," which was a popular success in its time.

During the 18th century, Mary Tolen (1728-1808) made a name for herself as a renowned portrait painter and miniaturist. Her works were celebrated for their exquisite detail and artistic skill, and she was highly sought after by members of the British aristocracy.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Tolen (1789-1867), a British military officer who served with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars. He rose through the ranks and was knighted for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals bearing the Tolen surname throughout history, spanning various fields, including politics, religion, literature, art, and military service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tolen

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

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

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

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