Paul — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #415 in the US 78,256 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#415
▼ Down 14 since 2000
People in the US
78,256
26.53 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Paul Surname

What does the last name Paul mean?

The surname Paul carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 78,256 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Paul ranks as the #415 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Paul come from?

The Paul surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Paul name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Paul trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Paul
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #415
US Count (2010) 78,256
Per 100K People 26.53
First Letter P

Ethnic Distribution of Paul

According to the US Census, the Paul surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 78,256 Americans with the Paul last name.

White 66.99%
Black 20.13%
Hispanic 2.67%
Asian/PI 6.25%
Native American 2.05%
Two+ Races 1.92%
Ethnic distribution of the Paul surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White66.99%
Black20.13%
Hispanic2.67%
Asian/Pacific Islander6.25%
Native American2.05%
Two or More Races1.92%

Popularity of Paul Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Paul surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#401
72,248 people
Down 14
Census 2010
#415
78,256 people

The number of Americans with the Paul surname increased by 6,008 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Paul Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Paul ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Paul

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Paul.

Other Unknown Surnames

Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Paul.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paul

The surname Paul is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Paul is ranked #415 in the United States with approximately 78,256 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Paul surname is distributed as: 67.0% White, 20.1% Black, 6.2% Asian/Pacific Islander. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Paul ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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