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

Berceau, 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 Berceau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Berceau in America

Berceau is the 131379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Berceau surname appeared 129 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 Berceau.

We can also compare 2010 data for Berceau 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 Berceau

The surname Berceau originated in France during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "berceau," meaning "cradle" or "birthplace." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a particular cradle-shaped geographical feature or was born in a specific location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Berceau can be found in the 13th-century census records of the village of Berceau-sur-Mer in Normandy, France. This village likely took its name from a nearby coastal formation resembling a cradle, and the surname may have originated from this place name.

In the 14th century, a nobleman named Jean de Berceau was mentioned in the chronicles of the Hundred Years' War as a valiant knight who fought alongside the French forces against the English. Unfortunately, his exact birth and death dates are unknown.

During the Renaissance period, a French poet and playwright named Pierre Berceau (1540-1612) gained recognition for his satirical works criticizing the excesses of the aristocracy. His plays were popular among the urban bourgeoisie of Paris.

In the 17th century, a renowned French architect named Jacques Berceau (1625-1701) designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Church of St. Sulpice and the Palais Royal. His innovative use of arched ceilings, known as "berceaux" (cradles), became a hallmark of his architectural style.

Another notable figure was Marie-Louise Berceau (1755-1832), a French revolutionary and feminist activist who played a role in the early stages of the French Revolution. She advocated for women's rights and education, and her memoirs provide valuable insights into the social and political climate of that era.

In the 19th century, a French explorer named Pierre-Henri Berceau (1821-1890) gained fame for his expeditions to West Africa and the Congo region. His detailed accounts of the geography, flora, and fauna of these areas contributed significantly to the field of natural history at the time.

While the surname Berceau has French origins, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the earliest recorded instances and historical figures associated with this name can be traced back to various regions of France, where it first emerged and evolved over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Berceau

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

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

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

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