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

Dries, 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 Dries surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dries in America

Dries is the 22260th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dries surname appeared 1,158 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 Dries.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dries 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 Dries

The surname DRIES originated in the Low Countries, which includes present-day Belgium and the Netherlands, during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Dutch word "dries," which means a grassy area or meadow. This name likely referred to someone who lived near or owned a tract of grassy land.

In the early 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Dries," "van den Driesse," and "van der Driessen," indicating the person's association with a specific location or area known as the "dries." These early spellings suggest the name's geographic origins and its connection to rural landscapes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the DRIES surname can be found in a Dutch manuscript from the late 14th century, where it is mentioned in reference to a landowner named Jan van der Driessen. This document provides evidence of the name's usage during that period and its potential link to landownership or occupation.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, as the Low Countries experienced significant economic and cultural growth, the DRIES surname became more widespread. Prominent individuals bearing this name included:

1. Willem Dries (1547-1622), a Dutch cartographer and engraver known for his detailed maps of the Low Countries.
2. Pieter Dries (1588-1653), a Flemish painter renowned for his landscapes and genre scenes.
3. Adriaen Dries (1612-1678), a Dutch Golden Age painter who specialized in still-life and portraiture.

In the 18th century, the DRIES surname appeared in various records across the Low Countries, indicating its continued presence in the region. One notable figure was:

4. Jan Dries (1722-1798), a Dutch civil engineer who oversaw the construction of several dikes and canals in the Netherlands.

As the surname spread beyond its original geographic boundaries, it also took on different spellings and variations, such as Driessen, Driese, and Driessen. This diversification of the name reflects the migration patterns and cultural influences of those who bore it.

In the 19th century, the DRIES surname was carried by:

5. Theodoor Dries (1819-1892), a Belgian politician and lawyer who served as the mayor of Antwerp from 1872 to 1892.

The DRIES surname has a rich history rooted in the rural landscapes of the Low Countries, and its evolution over time reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dries

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

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

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

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