Explore the Family Name Merlin
The meaning of Merlin
1. French, English (of Norman origin), Italian, and German; Spanish (Merlín): from the Old French personal name Merlin, from Latin Merlinus, a Latinized form of Welsh Myrddin devised by Geoffrey of Monmouth from the Welsh form of the Romano-British placename Moridunum ‘sea-fort’ (Carmarthen) and popularized in the Arthurian romances. 2. Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): metronymic from the Yiddish female personal name Merle, a pet form of Miryam (see Mirkin), with the addition of the Slavic possessive suffix -in. Some characteristic forenames: Jewish Aron, Arye, Sura.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Merlin in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname "Merlin" has seen a significant rise within the last decade. In 2000, Merlin ranked 21,230 in popularity and increased to rank 18,278 by 2010, a change of 13.9%. The count also noted a positive trend, with the number of people carrying the Merlin surname growing from 1,152 in 2000 to 1,519 in 2010, marking an impressive surge of 31.86%. This increase is reflected in the proportion per 100k which grew from 0.43 in 2000 to 0.51 in 2010, indicating an 18.6% growth.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,230 | #18,278 | 13.9% |
| Count | 1,152 | 1,519 | 31.86% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.43 | 0.51 | 18.6% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Merlin
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides insight into the diverse ethnic identities associated with the surname Merlin. The proportion of Merlins identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander rose from 0.78 in 2000 to 1.38 in 2010, increasing by 76.92%. The presence of the Merlin surname among those reporting two or more races slightly decreased, falling 16.36% over the same period. Predominantly, the surname is most common among Whites, though the figure declined from 70.05 in 2000 to 62.28 in 2010. Interestingly, the Hispanic community saw an upswing in Merlins, rising 26.45% to make up 30.74 of the ethnicity group. The Black community also experienced a growth, albeit slighter, with an increase of 34.89%, while the American Indian and Alaskan Native communities held relatively steady at around 0.46.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 70.05% | 62.28% | -11.09% |
| Hispanic | 24.31% | 30.74% | 26.45% |
| Black | 2.78% | 3.75% | 34.89% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.78% | 1.38% | 76.92% |
| Two or More Races | 1.65% | 1.38% | -16.36% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.43% | 0.46% | 6.98% |