Blanchett
A surname derived from the French for "white", possibly referring to a person with fair hair or complexion.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 823 Americans carry the last name Blanchett. That puts it at #32,268 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.24 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 416,469 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Blanchett 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
823
1 in 416,469
Census rank
#32,268
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
714
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 714 bearers of the surname Blanchett in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 32268th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Blanchett, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.9%. The next largest groups are Black (16.8%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Blanchett
The surname Blanchett originated in France, deriving from the Old French word "blanchet," which means "whitish" or "pale." It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century, and was likely used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone with pale complexion or fair hair.
The name can be traced back to various regions of France, including Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy, where it was commonly found in historical records and documents. One of the earliest known references to the name Blanchett appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of lands and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.
In the 13th century, the name Blanchett was recorded in the Hundred Rolls, a census-like survey of landowners conducted in England during the reign of King Edward I. This document mentions individuals with the surname Blanchett residing in various counties, including Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
One notable bearer of the name Blanchett was John Blanchett, a English merchant and landowner who lived in the 15th century. He is mentioned in several historical records from the time, including the Patent Rolls of 1440, which document his involvement in trade and land transactions.
Another notable figure with the surname Blanchett was Sir Thomas Blanchett (1545-1612), an English politician and member of the House of Commons. He served as the Member of Parliament for Grantham from 1588 to 1589 and was known for his involvement in local affairs and governance.
In the 17th century, the name Blanchett was also found in France, where it was sometimes spelled as "Blanchet" or "Blanchetière." One notable French bearer of the name was Pierre Blanchett (1620-1680), a renowned painter and engraver known for his religious works and portraits.
During the 18th century, the name Blanchett began to appear in various parts of the United Kingdom, including Scotland and Ireland. One notable Scottish bearer of the name was Robert Blanchett (1736-1809), a minister and author who wrote several religious texts and sermons.
In the 19th century, the name Blanchett was found in various English-speaking countries, including the United States and Canada, where it was likely brought by French and British settlers and immigrants.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Blanchett
Among Census respondents with the surname Blanchett, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.9%. The next largest groups are Black (16.8%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Blanchett 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 Blanchett surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White77.9%
- Black or African American16.8%
- Two or more races2.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.0%
- Unknown or suppressed1.0%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Blanchett 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 | #32,609 | #32,268 | 1.0% |
| Count | 664 | 714 | 7.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.25 | 0.24 | -4.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Blanchett bearers went from 664 to 714 (+7.5% change). The surname moved up 341 positions in the national ranking, going from #32,609 to #32,268.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Blanchett
FAQ
Blanchett surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Blanchett?
The surname Blanchett holds position #32,268 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 823 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Blanchett surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Blanchett, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.9%. The next largest groups are Black (16.8%) and Two or More Races (2.4%). 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.