Coulier last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Coulier

A French surname most likely deriving from "coulée", meaning a small stream or brook.

Coulier, 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 Coulier surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Coulier in America

Coulier is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Coulier surname appeared 102 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Coulier.

The history of the last name Coulier

The surname Coulier finds its origins in France, particularly in the northern regions near the border with Belgium. Emerging in the medieval period, likely around the 12th or 13th century, the name is thought to be derived from the Old French word "colier" or "colle," which referred to a cowl or hooded garment. This association suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname, possibly denoting someone who made or wore cowls or hoods.

The name has undergone various spellings and adaptations over the centuries. Early records from the region, such as tax registers and land deeds, often show the name spelled as Collier or Colier. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in a 14th-century manuscript from the Picardy region, where a Jacques Coulier is mentioned as a landowner.

In the 16th century, references to the surname become more frequent. A notable figure bearing the name is Pierre Coulier, born in 1556 in Amiens. He is recorded as having been a merchant who played a significant role in the local economy until his death in 1621. Another prominent individual was Marie Coulier, born in 1623 in Lille, who was known for her philanthropic efforts in the region and is frequently mentioned in charitable records from the era.

Moving into the 18th century, Jean-Baptiste Coulier, born in 1735, was a well-known artisan in the town of Arras. His work in metal engraving earned him recognition beyond his locality, and several of his pieces are preserved in museums today. He passed away in 1802, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of craftsmanship.

In the 19th century, the Coulier name appeared in various other regions due to migration and the expansion of trade routes. Notable during this time was Jacques-Louis Coulier, born in 1823, who became a respected academic and contributed significantly to linguistic studies focused on Old French dialects. His death in 1897 was marked by numerous accolades from educational institutions.

Throughout history, the surname Coulier has not only indicated lineage but also stood as a marker of occupational and social identity. The variations in spelling and the movement of people carrying the name have contributed to its persistence through the centuries. Such a rich history reflects the evolving nature of surnames and their connection to both individual and collective identities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Coulier

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Coulier was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 95.10% 97
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 0.00% 0

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.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Coulier last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 29, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/coulier-surname-popularity/.

"Coulier last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/coulier-surname-popularity/. Accessed 29 June, 2025

Coulier last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/coulier-surname-popularity/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.