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

Berru, 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 Berru surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Berru in America

Berru is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Berru surname appeared 134 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 Berru.

We can also compare 2010 data for Berru 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 Berru

The surname BERRU originated in the region of Brittany, in northwestern France, during the early medieval period. It is derived from the Breton language and is believed to have evolved from the Old Breton word "ber," meaning "short" or "small." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname or a reference to someone of small stature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BERRU surname can be found in the cartulary of the Abbey of Redon, a medieval manuscript dating back to the 9th century. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Berru," "Berrou," and "Berru-en-Berr," reflecting the linguistic variations of the time.

During the Middle Ages, the BERRU family was associated with the small village of Berru, located in the Morbihan department of Brittany. Historically, this area was known for its rich agricultural traditions and strong Celtic heritage, which may have influenced the development and spread of the surname.

One notable figure bearing the BERRU name was Guillaume Berru, a 13th-century cleric and scholar from Brittany who served as a canon at the Cathedral of Rennes. He was renowned for his contributions to the study of Canon Law and is mentioned in several ecclesiastical records from that period.

Another prominent individual with the BERRU surname was Jeanne Berru, a 16th-century noblewoman from Brittany who inherited significant lands and estates. Her marriage to Jean de Kersauson, a prominent Breton nobleman, helped solidify the family's influence and standing in the region.

In the 17th century, the BERRU name gained recognition through the exploits of Jean-Baptiste Berru, a French military officer and explorer. He participated in several expeditions to the Americas and is credited with establishing a settlement in what is now the state of Louisiana in the United States.

During the 18th century, the BERRU family established itself in the city of Nantes, which was a major center of trade and commerce in Brittany. One notable member from this era was François Berru, a successful merchant and shipowner who contributed significantly to the city's economic growth.

Throughout its history, the BERRU surname has maintained a strong presence in the Brittany region and has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, clergy, nobility, military service, and commerce. While the name may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it has evolved into a proud symbol of the Breton cultural heritage and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Berru

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

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

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

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