Escoffier last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Escoffier

An occupational surname referring to a maker of bowls or dishes.

Escoffier, 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 Escoffier surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Escoffier in America

Escoffier is the 149328th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Escoffier surname appeared 101 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 Escoffier.

The history of the last name Escoffier

The surname Escoffier finds its origins in France, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. The name is believed to be occupational in nature, derived from the Old French word "escoffier" or "eschauffier," which means a cook or chef. It succinctly describes the profession of the original bearers, indicating those who were likely engaged in the culinary arts, perhaps in a noble household or an establishment providing food.

This surname is particularly associated with the Provence region in southeastern France, an area renowned for its rich culinary traditions. Historical references to the surname Escoffier can be found in regional records dating back to the middle ages. Manuscripts and municipal registers from the 13th century contain mentions of families bearing this name, embedded in the fabric of the communities they served.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is Guillame Escoffier, who is noted in 14th-century property documents from the city of Avignon. These records provide insights into the social status and occupations of those carrying the name at that time, affirming their roles in service positions.

A significant historical figure with this surname is Georges Auguste Escoffier, born in 1846 and passed away in 1935. Often termed "the king of chefs and the chef of kings," he was a pivotal figure in modern French cuisine. His contributions include simplifying and modernizing elaborate French dishes and culinary techniques. Escoffier's works, such as "Le Guide Culinaire," remain influential in gastronomy.

Another bearer of the name, Jean Escoffier, born in 1887, was renowned for his work as an aviator. His record-setting flights in the early 20th century brought recognition to the surname in aviation circles. He significantly contributed to aerospatial exploration and the development of early aircraft technology.

Pierre Escoffier, active in the late 15th century, was a notable public official in the town of Aix-en-Provence. His administrative records give a glimpse into the civil responsibilities and judicial matters of the time, indicating the surname's integration into various strata of medieval society.

Henri Escoffier, born in the early 1800s, was a distinguished sculptor whose works adorned several public buildings in France. His sculptures, often characterized by their intricate detail and realism, are still admired in art history circles for their classical form.

Lastly, Marie Escoffier, born in 1857, was a prominent educator who championed women's education in the latter half of the 19th century. Her advocacy and efforts laid important groundwork for further advancements in the mission of women's rights, particularly in the educational sector.

Through the centuries, the surname Escoffier has been borne by individuals contributing to various fields such as culinary arts, aviation, public administration, sculpture, and education, signifying its deep historical roots and the diverse legacies of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Escoffier

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

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 Escoffier was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 95.05% 96
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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

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

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"Escoffier last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 21, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/escoffier-surname-popularity/.

"Escoffier last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/escoffier-surname-popularity/. Accessed 21 May, 2025

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

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