Dacus last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Dacus

Of Roman origin, indicating a person from the ancient region of Dacia, now primarily Romania and Moldova.

Dacus, 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 Dacus surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dacus in America

Dacus is the 13955th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dacus surname appeared 2,162 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 Dacus.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dacus 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 13955 13372 4.27%
Count 2,162 2,089 3.43%
Proportion per 100k 0.73 0.77 -5.33%

The history of the last name Dacus

The surname Dacus has its origins in France and dates back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "dacier," which means "a tax collector." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely employed as tax collectors or held similar occupations related to fiscal responsibilities.

Dacus is believed to have originated in the northern regions of France, particularly in the areas around Normandy and Brittany. Some of the earliest recorded instances of this name can be found in medieval documents and charters from these regions, often spelled as "Dacier" or "Dassier."

One notable historical reference to the name Dacus is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Dacy" in this document, suggesting that variations of the spelling existed at that time.

Among the earliest recorded individuals bearing this surname was Robert Dacus, a Norman nobleman who lived in the 12th century. He is mentioned in several contemporary chronicles and was known for his involvement in the Crusades.

During the 13th century, the Dacus family established a stronghold in the village of Dacy, located in the Somme region of northern France. This place name is likely derived from the family name itself, further solidifying the connection between the surname and its geographical origins.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Jean Dacus (1320-1388) rose to prominence as a renowned scholar and theologian. He studied at the University of Paris and later became a professor at the prestigious institution, contributing significantly to the advancement of medieval philosophy and theology.

Another prominent individual with the surname Dacus was Jacques Dacus (1460-1522), a French artist and painter who was celebrated for his intricate religious frescoes and altarpieces. His works can be found in various churches and cathedrals across France, showcasing his mastery of the Renaissance art style.

In the 16th century, the Dacus family produced a renowned military leader named Philippe Dacus (1525-1598). He served as a captain in the French army and was instrumental in several campaigns during the French Wars of Religion, earning a reputation for his strategic acumen and bravery on the battlefield.

Throughout the centuries, the Dacus surname has maintained its presence across various regions of France, with variations in spelling such as Dacy, Dasser, and Dacier. While the name has since spread to other parts of the world, its origins can be traced back to the rich historical tapestry of medieval France.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dacus

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

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 Dacus was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 83.35% 1,802
Non-Hispanic Black Only 11.38% 246
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 1.30% 28
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.37% 8
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 1.80% 39
Hispanic Origin 1.80% 39

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 Dacus has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 83.35% 84.92% -1.87%
Black 11.38% 11.20% 1.59%
Asian and Pacific Islander 1.30% 0.29% 127.04%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.37% 0.48% -25.88%
Two or More Races 1.80% 1.63% 9.91%
Hispanic 1.80% 1.48% 19.51%

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

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

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"Dacus last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/dacus-surname-popularity/.

"Dacus last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/dacus-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

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

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