Biron
A French topographic surname derived from the Old French word "biron" meaning a small hill or mound.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,091 Americans carry the last name Biron. That puts it at #16,136 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.61 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 163,919 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Biron 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
2.1K
1 in 163,919
Census rank
#16,136
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.8K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,793 bearers of the surname Biron in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.61 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 16136th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Biron, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Biron
The surname Biron originated in France, with its earliest roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the French word "biron," which means "staff" or "cudgel," suggesting that the name may have initially been an occupational name for a person who carried a staff or baton.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Biron can be found in the Cartulaire de l'abbaye de Redon, a collection of medieval charters from the Abbey of Redon in Brittany, France. This document, dating back to the 9th century, mentions individuals with the name Biron, indicating its presence in the region during that time.
In the 11th century, the name Biron appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that individuals bearing this surname had migrated to England by that period.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name Biron was Arnaud de Biron, a French nobleman who lived in the 13th century and served as a knight and military commander. He played a significant role in the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in southern France.
Another notable figure with the surname Biron was Charles de Gontaut, Duc de Biron (1562-1602), a French military leader and Marshal of France during the reigns of Henry III and Henry IV. He was renowned for his military prowess but was later executed for treason after being accused of conspiring against the king.
In the 16th century, the Biron name was associated with a place in southwestern France, known as the Baronnie de Biron, located in the region of Gascony. This place name likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in that area.
Armand de Gontaut, Baron de Biron (1524-1592), was a prominent French nobleman and military leader who served as a Marshal of France during the French Wars of Religion. He was also the father of Charles de Gontaut, Duc de Biron, mentioned earlier.
Marie de Biron (1579-1624), also known as the Duchess of Biron, was a French courtier and mistress of King Henry IV of France. She was renowned for her beauty and influence at the French court during the early 17th century.
These examples illustrate the historical significance and presence of the surname Biron, particularly in France and England, from the medieval period onwards. While its origins can be traced back to an occupational name, the Biron surname has been associated with notable individuals and places throughout history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Biron
Among Census respondents with the surname Biron, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Biron 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 Biron surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.8%
- Hispanic or Latino5.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.6%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Black or African American0.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Biron 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #15,661 | #16,136 | -3.0% |
| Count | 1,713 | 1,793 | 4.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.64 | 0.61 | -4.7% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Biron bearers went from 1,713 to 1,793 (+4.7% change). The surname moved down 475 positions in the national ranking, going from #15,661 to #16,136.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Biron
FAQ
Biron surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Biron?
The surname Biron holds position #16,136 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,091 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.61 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Biron surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Biron, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.6%). 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.