NameCensus.

UK surname

Mullan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Maoláin, meaning "descendant of Maolán," a personal name meaning "little bald one."

In the 1881 census there were 542 people recorded with the Mullan surname, ranking it #6,362 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,213, ranked #2,930, up from #6,362 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Keppochhill, Kelty West and Greenock Upper Central.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mullan is 2,243 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 308.3%.

1881 census count

542

Ranked #6,362

Modern count

2,213

2016, ranked #2,930

Peak year

2010

2,243 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mullan had 542 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,362 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,213 in 2016, ranked #2,930.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 542 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Mullan surname distribution map

The map shows where the Mullan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Mullan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mullan over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 307 #7,502
1861 historical 420 #6,114
1881 historical 542 #6,362
1891 historical 502 #7,408
1901 historical 459 #8,577
1911 historical 134 #19,131
1997 modern 1,786 #3,359
1998 modern 1,834 #3,403
1999 modern 1,859 #3,381
2000 modern 1,867 #3,349
2001 modern 1,835 #3,334
2002 modern 1,936 #3,259
2003 modern 1,905 #3,232
2004 modern 1,905 #3,230
2005 modern 1,975 #3,117
2006 modern 2,030 #3,045
2007 modern 2,022 #3,094
2008 modern 2,088 #3,018
2009 modern 2,143 #3,026
2010 modern 2,243 #2,962
2011 modern 2,172 #3,009
2012 modern 2,137 #2,999
2013 modern 2,172 #3,003
2014 modern 2,225 #2,953
2015 modern 2,209 #2,934
2016 modern 2,213 #2,930

Geography

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Where Mullans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Keppochhill, Kelty West, Greenock Upper Central, Toryglen and Oatlands and Liverpool. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Keppochhill Glasgow City
2 Kelty West Fife
3 Greenock Upper Central Inverclyde
4 Toryglen and Oatlands Glasgow City
5 Liverpool 060 Liverpool

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mullan

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mullan surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mullan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mullan, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Mullan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Mullan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mullan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mullan is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mullan falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mullan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mullan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mullan

The surname Mullan has its roots in Ireland, originating from the Gaelic word 'mullán', which means a small hill or summit. It is believed to have emerged as a toponymic surname, derived from a place name referring to a specific location associated with a hill or elevated ground.

During the Middle Ages, the name Mullan was predominantly found in the northern counties of Ireland, particularly in Ulster and parts of Connacht. It is recorded in ancient Irish annals and manuscripts, indicating its widespread use among Irish families.

One of the earliest known references to the name Mullan can be traced back to the 14th century, when it appeared in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of Irish history compiled by medieval Irish monks. This record suggests that the surname was well-established by that time.

In the 16th century, the surname Mullan was found in several historical documents, including the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, which were letters patent issued by the English Crown during the Tudor period. This indicates that the name was present among Irish families during the reign of the Tudor monarchs.

Notable individuals with the surname Mullan throughout history include:

1. Thomas Mullan (1786-1864), an Irish poet and songwriter from County Tyrone, renowned for his patriotic verses and ballads. 2. Dermot Mullan (1638-1708), an Irish Catholic priest and scholar who served as the Archbishop of Cashel from 1687 to 1708. 3. John Mullan (1832-1909), an Irish-American engineer and surveyor who played a crucial role in the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 19th century. 4. Elizabeth Mullan (1815-1892), an Irish-born Australian philanthropist and social reformer, known for her work in establishing schools and advocating for women's rights. 5. Terence Mullan (1914-1989), an Irish artist and painter renowned for his landscape paintings depicting the rugged beauty of the Irish countryside.

The name Mullan has also been associated with various place names throughout Ireland, such as Mullan, a townland in County Monaghan, and Mullan Hill, a prominent landmark in County Tyrone.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mullan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mullan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 208 Mullans recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.14x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 208 12.14x
Lancashire 79 1.26x
Ayrshire 40 10.09x
Renfrewshire 39 9.50x
Durham 29 1.84x
Yorkshire 27 0.51x
Midlothian 24 3.38x
Angus 10 2.04x
Clackmannanshire 10 22.86x
West Lothian 10 12.54x
Perthshire 9 3.79x
Buteshire 7 21.81x
Fife 7 2.23x
Cumberland 6 1.32x
Northumberland 6 0.76x
Middlesex 5 0.09x
Stirlingshire 5 2.56x
Surrey 5 0.19x
Isle of Man 3 3.05x
Cheshire 2 0.17x
Warwickshire 2 0.15x
Argyllshire 1 0.68x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.45x
Devon 1 0.09x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.70x
Glamorgan 1 0.11x
Hampshire 1 0.09x
Kincardineshire 1 1.55x
Lincolnshire 1 0.12x
Northamptonshire 1 0.20x
Staffordshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 57 Mullans recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.45x.

Place Total Index
Govan 57 13.45x
Glasgow 51 16.77x
Barony 42 9.69x
Rutherglen 20 79.59x
Liverpool 19 4.98x
Houston Killallan 13 327.46x
Muirkirk 13 139.63x
Dalry 11 58.98x
Accrington 10 17.50x
Bothwell 10 21.52x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 10 3.50x
Stockton On Tees 10 13.16x
Dundee 8 4.37x
Ryhope 8 73.13x
Toxteth Park 8 3.76x
Whitburn 8 69.44x
Bradford 7 5.51x
Manchester 7 2.48x
Perth Middle Church 7 78.30x
Richmond 7 85.37x
Rothesay 7 45.05x
West Greenock 7 9.50x
Cambusnethan 6 15.77x
Dunfermline 6 12.45x
Lancaster 6 16.04x
Shettleston 6 39.11x
West Calder 6 42.89x
Alloa 5 23.57x
Cathcart 5 22.51x
Clackmannan 5 60.46x
Eastwood 5 19.78x
Edinburgh Old Church 5 87.72x
Elswick 5 7.95x
Everton 5 2.50x
Hackney London 5 1.68x
Kilmarnock 5 10.60x
Newton In Makerfield 5 25.97x
Old Monkland 5 7.36x
Salford 5 2.70x
Wandsworth 5 9.81x
Barton Upon Irwell 4 8.45x
Gateshead 4 3.39x
Girvan 4 40.20x
Lanchester 4 138.41x
Muiravonside 4 80.65x
New Monkland 4 7.90x
Riccarton Hurlford 4 57.55x
East Greenock 3 7.74x
Malew 3 34.92x
Otley 3 23.55x
Shotts 3 14.63x
Workington 3 11.49x
Blackburn 2 1.20x
Burnley 2 3.78x
Coylton 2 35.59x
Kilmalcolm 2 40.65x
Knowle 2 72.73x
Leeds 2 0.67x
Linthorpe 2 6.39x
Middle Greenock 2 17.86x
North Meols 2 3.25x
St Cuthbert W O 2 9.00x
Wakefield 2 4.96x
York Minster Yard W 2 163.93x
Bishop Auckland 1 4.73x
Boness 1 9.09x
Carmunnock 1 76.34x
Dunlop 1 40.49x
Edinburgh Tron Church 1 30.03x
Hamilton 1 2.09x
Kirkham 1 12.03x
Kirkleatham 1 14.10x
Little Lever 1 12.44x
Maryhill 1 2.98x
Merthyr Tydfil 1 1.13x
Perth West Church 1 8.87x
Portsea 1 0.47x
Saxby In Glanford Brigg 1 169.49x
Sheffield 1 0.60x
Stoke Damerel 1 1.30x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mullan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 17
Margaret 9
Elizabeth 8
Ann 5
Jane 5
Sarah 5
Ellen 3
Catherine 2
Isabella 2
Louisa 2
Margt. 2
Alicia 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Frances 1
Henerietta 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Leleachan 1
Lis 1
Lucy 1
M. 1
Maggie 1
Margret 1
Marsella 1
Pheobe 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Rosetta 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mullan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
James 14
John 13
William 9
Thomas 7
Daniel 4
Charles 3
Edward 3
Hugh 3
Michael 3
Patrick 3
Henry 2
Micheal 2
Richard 2
Arthur 1
Barnard 1
Charle 1
Christopher 1
Dan 1
Danial 1
David 1
Edd. 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
George 1
Jeremiah 1
Jno. 1
Joseph 1
Josiah 1
Owen 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Stephen 1
Th...thy 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Mullan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mullan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 542 people were recorded with the Mullan surname. That placed it at #6,362 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mullan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,213 in 2016. That gives Mullan a modern rank of #2,930.

What does the Mullan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Maoláin, meaning "descendant of Maolán," a personal name meaning "little bald one."

What does the Mullan map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mullan bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.