Corday
French surname possibly derived from the word "cour" meaning court, potentially indicating one's ancestors lived near a court.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Corday. That puts it at #98,099 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Corday 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
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#98,099
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
185
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 185 bearers of the surname Corday in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 98099th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Corday, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (10.3%) and Black (4.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Corday
The surname Corday originated in France. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "cordier," which means a maker of ropes or cords. The name first appeared in records during the 12th century in the region of Normandy.
Records indicate that the Corday family held lands and a manor in the village of Corday-en-Bauge, situated in the former province of Maine. This village likely took its name from the family, further emphasizing the connection between the surname and their profession as rope makers.
One of the earliest documented references to the name Corday can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landholders in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Radulfus Cordarius, which translates to Ralph the Rope-maker.
In the 13th century, a notable figure named Jacques Corday (1210-1272) was a French nobleman and military leader who participated in the Seventh Crusade led by King Louis IX. He was knighted for his bravery on the battlefield.
During the French Revolution, a woman named Marie Anne Charlotte Corday (1768-1793) gained notoriety for assassinating the Jacobin leader Jean-Paul Marat. She was born in Normandy and was executed by guillotine for her actions.
Another prominent individual with the surname was Pierre Corday (1859-1934), a French artist and painter known for his landscapes and portraits. He was a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts and received numerous awards for his work.
In the 20th century, Marcel Corday (1893-1976) was a French actor and film director who appeared in over 60 movies throughout his career. He is best remembered for his roles in classic French films such as Les Visiteurs du Soir (1942) and Le Corbeau (1943).
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Corday
Among Census respondents with the surname Corday, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (10.3%) and Black (4.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Corday 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 Corday surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White82.7%
- Hispanic or Latino10.3%
- Black or African American4.9%
- Unknown or suppressed2.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Corday 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 | #87,729 | #98,099 | -11.8% |
| Count | 197 | 185 | -6.1% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.06 | -14.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Corday bearers went from 197 to 185 (-6.1% change). The surname moved down 10,370 positions in the national ranking, going from #87,729 to #98,099.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Corday
FAQ
Corday surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Corday?
The surname Corday holds position #98,099 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Corday surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Corday, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (10.3%) and Black (4.9%). 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.