Blache
A French surname derived from the adjective "blache" meaning pale or light-skinned.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Blache. That puts it at #59,017 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Blache 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
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#59,017
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
343
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 343 bearers of the surname Blache in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 59017th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Blache, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.2%. The next largest groups are Black (29.7%) and Hispanic (6.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Blache
The surname Blache has its origins in France, specifically in the southern region of Provence. It is believed to have originated in the late Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Old French word "blache," which means "white" or "pale," likely referring to someone with fair skin or light hair.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Blache can be found in a document from the year 1386, which mentions a person named Pierre Blache residing in the town of Aix-en-Provence. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region by that time.
In the 15th century, a notable figure with the surname Blache was Jean Blache (c. 1435-1501), a wealthy merchant and landowner in the Provençal town of Arles. He was involved in various business ventures, including the trade of textiles and spices, and his family played a significant role in the local community.
Moving into the 16th century, the name Blache appears in several historical records from the region of Provence. One such record, dated 1567, mentions a certain Antoine Blache, who was a prominent winemaker in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The 17th century saw the birth of a renowned military officer named François de Blache (1620-1698). He served in the French army during the reign of King Louis XIV and was known for his valor and strategic skills on the battlefield.
In the 18th century, the name Blache was associated with a notable family of intellectuals and scholars. Jacques-François Blache (1745-1812) was a celebrated philosopher and writer from Marseille, known for his works on ethics and political theory.
As the centuries progressed, the surname Blache spread beyond its Provençal origins and could be found in various other regions of France. However, its strongest ties remain with the southern region of Provence, where it has a long and rich history dating back to the Middle Ages.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Blache
Among Census respondents with the surname Blache, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.2%. The next largest groups are Black (29.7%) and Hispanic (6.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Blache 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 Blache surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White59.2%
- Black or African American29.7%
- Hispanic or Latino6.4%
- Two or more races3.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Blache 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 | #59,017 | #59,017 | 0.0% |
| Count | 343 | 343 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Blache bearers went from 343 to 343 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #59,017 to #59,017.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Blache
FAQ
Blache surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Blache?
The surname Blache holds position #59,017 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Blache surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Blache, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.2%. The next largest groups are Black (29.7%) and Hispanic (6.4%). 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.