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

DeSterle, 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 DeSterle surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of DeSterle in America

DeSterle is the 120330th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeSterle surname appeared 133 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 DeSterle.

The history of the last name DeSterle

The surname Desterle originates from France, specifically from the region of Savoy in the southeastern part, bordering Italy. The name appears to have originated in the late medieval period, around the 14th or 15th century. The exact etymology of the name is somewhat unclear, but it is speculated that it could derive from an old dialect word related to the geography or occupations prevalent in the region.

One of the earliest documented instances of the surname Desterle can be found in church records from the 1500s. In 1532, François Desterle is listed in the parish registers of Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny, a small commune in the Savoie department. Such records from this time period typically list names of landowners, noteworthy citizens, and those involved in parish activities.

A notable historical figure carrying the surname was Charles Desterle, born in 1645 in Chambéry, the historical capital of Savoy. He was known to be a local magistrate and held significant influence in municipal affairs. Charles Desterle was instrumental in various public works projects and is recorded in municipal documents from 1675 to 1709.

In the early 18th century, a branch of the Desterle family moved to the nearby region of Dauphiné. In 1710, Jacques Desterle, a merchant by profession, is noted in the town archives of Grenoble for his extensive trade in textiles. Jacques’ business activities contributed to the economic tapestry of the region during that era.

Later in history, Pierre Desterle, a well-regarded academic and writer, is born in 1785 in Annecy, another town within the Savoy region. Pierre authored several works on local history and geography, reflecting on the cultural and social evolution of the area. His works are preserved in the archives of the Haute-Savoie department, providing insight into the region’s past through his scholarly contributions.

During the 19th century, the Desterle name continued to be prominent with figures such as Marie Desterle, born in 1832 in Lyon. Marie became a notable social figure and philanthropist, particularly active in educational reforms and the establishment of schools for girls. Her efforts were crucial in promoting literacy and education among the disadvantaged populations in her area.

By the time the 20th century dawned, the name Desterle had spread to other parts of France and even across the Atlantic. Notably, Jean-Baptiste Desterle, born in 1895, immigrated to the United States in 1920. He settled in New York and became involved in the burgeoning American art scene, later establishing a successful gallery that promoted European artists.

Throughout history, the Desterle surname is associated with influential personalities across various fields like governance, trade, academia, social work, and the arts. The name's presence in historical documents highlights the family's longstanding involvement in regional and, eventually, international developments.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeSterle

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

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 DeSterle 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.

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

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

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