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

Courter, 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 Courter surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Courter in America

Courter is the 11408th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Courter surname appeared 2,764 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Courter.

We can also compare 2010 data for Courter to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Courter

The surname Courter has its origins in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "courtier," which referred to a person who served in a court or was involved in legal proceedings. This occupational surname was likely given to someone who worked in a royal or noble court, or who had a role in the legal system.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval French records and documents from the 12th and 13th centuries. The name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the northern regions of France, including Normandy and Picardy. Some variations in spelling, such as Courtier, Courtois, and Courteau, can also be found in these early records.

One notable historical figure with the surname Courter was Jean Courter, a French diplomat and courtier who lived during the 15th century. He served as an ambassador for the French monarchy and played a significant role in negotiating treaties and alliances with other European powers.

In the 16th century, the name spread to other parts of Europe, including the Low Countries and Germany, where it was sometimes spelled as Courter or Courter. During this period, a prominent figure with the name was Pieter Courter, a Dutch merchant and trader who established a successful business empire in Amsterdam.

As the name traveled across Europe, it also made its way to the British Isles. In the 17th century, a notable English bearer of the surname was William Courter, a landowner and magistrate from Oxfordshire. He was known for his involvement in local politics and administration.

Over the centuries, the Courter surname has been carried by various individuals across different fields and professions. In the 18th century, John Courter was a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church.

Another prominent figure with the surname was Marie Courter, a French artist and painter from the 19th century. She was renowned for her portraits and landscapes, and her works were exhibited in prestigious salons and galleries across Europe.

As the name continued to spread and evolve, it also found its way to other parts of the world, including the Americas, where it was adopted by immigrants from various European countries. However, the origins and historical significance of the Courter surname can be traced back to its French roots and the occupational and legal associations of its early bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Courter

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Courter was:

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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Courter has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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