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

Drouse, 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 Drouse surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Drouse in America

Drouse is the 135837th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Drouse surname appeared 114 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 Drouse.

The history of the last name Drouse

The surname Drouse is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, with its earliest traces found around the 13th to 14th centuries. The name likely derived from older forms of the Middle English word drouzen, which means to fall into a light sleep or to be lethargic, implying a characteristic or occupation related to sleep or stillness.

The earliest known reference to the surname Drouse appears in parish records from the 14th century in the county of Cornwall. A manuscript dating back to 1320 mentions one William Drouse as a landholder in the town of Padstow. This reference is critical as it provides both geographical and temporal context to the surname’s origins.

The Drouse surname appears again in the 1500s in ecclesiastical records. John Drouse, born 1540 and died 1595, was a noted clergyman in Somerset. His sermons and religious writings have been well-preserved and provide evidence of the name's usage and respectability in that era.

In the 17th century, Roger Drouse, born 1623 and died 1691, is recorded as a merchant in London. His business transactions and petitions to the monarchy have been preserved in various trade documents and letters, giving a snapshot of the surname's association with the expanding trade economy of the period.

During the 18th century, the surname Drouse can be traced to military records. Captain Thomas Drouse, born 1703 and died 1760, served in the British Army and participated in the Seven Years' War. His military contributions were documented in regimental histories and provide insight into the name’s spread beyond mere civilian records.

The 19th century introduced Catherine Drouse, born 1822 and died 1891, who was a noted social reformer. Her efforts in advocating for women's education are archived in various parliamentary debate records and personal correspondences, displaying the surname’s association with social progress.

Another noteworthy mention is Richard Drouse, born 1845 and passed in 1910, an influential figure in the early industrial revolution. He was an engineer whose innovations in textile machinery were well-documented in patent records of the era, noting significant advancements in industrial technology.

In essence, the surname Drouse encompasses a range of historical narratives, from medieval landholders to influential figures in religion, trade, military, social reforms, and industrial advancements, reflecting a rich and varied lineage tracing back several centuries in English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Drouse

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!