Find out how popular the last name Detro is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Detro.
An anglicized form of the German surname Dietrich, meaning people ruler or wealthy leader.
Detro, 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 Detro surname is from the 2010 census data.
Detro is the 63524th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Detro surname appeared 314 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Detro.
We can also compare 2010 data for Detro 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 | 63524 | 62236 | 2.05% |
Count | 314 | 301 | 4.23% |
Proportion per 100k | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.00% |
The surname Detro is of French origin, with its roots dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the northern regions of France, particularly in the areas around Paris and Normandy. The name is derived from the Old French word "detrei," which translates to "narrow passage" or "strait."
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Detro can be found in the historical manuscripts of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, where it appears in a document from the year 1587. This document refers to a certain Jean Detro, a merchant from the town of Rouen.
During the 17th century, the name Detro gained prominence in the region of Brittany, where it was associated with the small village of Detro near the town of Quimper. It is likely that the name originated from this place, which was known for its narrow streets and alleyways, reflecting the meaning of the Old French word "detrei."
In the late 18th century, records show a notable figure named Pierre Detro (1745-1825), who was a renowned clockmaker from the city of Besançon. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the French nobility and aristocracy of the time.
Another prominent individual with the surname Detro was Marie Detro (1789-1862), a celebrated opera singer from Paris. She performed at the prestigious Paris Opera and was known for her exceptional vocal range and stage presence.
The 19th century saw the name Detro spread beyond the borders of France. In 1832, a man named Jacques Detro (1805-1887) emigrated from Normandy to the United States, settling in the city of New Orleans. He and his descendants played a significant role in the cultural and economic development of the region.
In the world of literature, one cannot overlook the contribution of the French author and poet, Émile Detro (1875-1948). His works, which explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, were widely acclaimed and translated into several languages.
Throughout history, the surname Detro has maintained a strong presence in various parts of France, as well as in regions where French emigrants settled. While its exact origins remain shrouded in some mystery, the name continues to carry the legacy of its French heritage and the unique geographical features that inspired its creation.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Detro.
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:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Detro was:
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
---|---|---|
Non-Hispanic White Only | 96.18% | 302 |
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 | 0.00% | 0 |
Hispanic Origin | 2.87% | 9 |
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 Detro has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.
2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
---|---|---|---|
White | 96.18% | 97.34% | -1.20% |
Black | (S)% | 0.00% | (S)% |
Asian and Pacific Islander | (S)% | (S)% | (S)% |
American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Two or More Races | 0.00% | (S)% | (S)% |
Hispanic | 2.87% | 1.66% | 53.42% |
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 Detro was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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<a href="http://namecensus.com/last-names/detro-surname-popularity/">Detro last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
"Detro last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 5, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/detro-surname-popularity/.
"Detro last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/detro-surname-popularity/. Accessed 5 July, 2025
Detro last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/detro-surname-popularity/.
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