Berenger
A French surname derived from the given name Berenger, ultimately from Germanic elements meaning "bear" and "spear."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Berenger. That puts it at #111,426 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Berenger surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#111,426
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
158
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 158 bearers of the surname Berenger in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 111426th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Berenger, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Berenger
The surname Berenger is of Old French origin, derived from the Germanic personal name Berengarius, which itself comes from the elements "bera" meaning "bear" and "gari" meaning "spear". It is believed to have originated in the regions of Normandy and Brittany in northern France during the medieval period.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Berenger can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Several individuals bearing variations of the name, such as Berenger and Berengarius, are listed as landowners and tenants in various counties across the country.
One notable individual who bore this surname was Berenger I, the Count of Provence from 1112 to 1144. He played a significant role in the political and military affairs of southern France during the 12th century, participating in the Second Crusade and engaging in conflicts with the County of Barcelona.
Another historical figure was Berenger II of Navarre, who ruled as the Count of Navarre from 1191 to 1234. He was a key figure in the Reconquista, the centuries-long campaign to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule, and was instrumental in the expansion of the Kingdom of Navarre during his reign.
In the realm of literature, Berenger de Tours was a 12th-century French poet and trouvère, known for his contributions to the development of courtly love poetry. His works were widely circulated and influential in the literary circles of medieval France.
The surname Berenger also has connections to various place names throughout Europe. For instance, the village of Berenger in the department of Marne, France, likely derived its name from an early bearer of the surname. Similarly, the town of Berengarville in Normandy may have originated from a landowner with the name Berenger or a variation thereof.
Over the centuries, the surname Berenger has undergone various spelling variations, including Berenger, Berengier, Beringer, and Beringar, among others. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal practices in different parts of Europe where the name was present.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Berenger
Among Census respondents with the surname Berenger, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Berenger bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Berenger surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White84.8%
- Hispanic or Latino12.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Berenger surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #111,426 | #111,426 | 0.0% |
| Count | 158 | 158 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Berenger bearers went from 158 to 158 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #111,426 to #111,426.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Berenger
FAQ
Berenger surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Berenger?
The surname Berenger holds position #111,426 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Berenger surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Berenger, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.