Espree last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Espree

A French surname derived from the word "esprit" meaning spirit or liveliness.

Espree, 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 Espree surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Espree in America

Espree is the 55121st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Espree surname appeared 373 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 Espree.

We can also compare 2010 data for Espree 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 55121 53191 3.56%
Count 373 365 2.17%
Proportion per 100k 0.13 0.14 -7.41%

The history of the last name Espree

The surname ESPREE has its origins in France, tracing back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the French word "esprit," meaning "spirit" or "wit," suggesting the name may have been bestowed upon someone with a lively or spirited personality.

The earliest known records of the ESPREE name can be found in the archives of the Normandy region, where it was first documented in the town of Rouen in 1587. During this time, the name was often spelled as "Espree" or "Esprey," reflecting the local dialect and pronunciation.

One of the earliest documented individuals bearing the ESPREE surname was Jean Espree, a merchant born in Rouen in 1602. His trade records provide valuable insights into the commercial activities of the time and the importance of the ESPREE family in the local economy.

In the 17th century, the ESPREE name spread beyond Normandy, with several families settling in the Île-de-France region around Paris. Notable among them was Marie Espree (1658-1724), a renowned seamstress who worked for the French nobility and was known for her intricate embroidery designs.

By the 18th century, the ESPREE name had gained recognition in various parts of France. One prominent figure was Jacques Espree (1712-1789), a philosopher and writer whose works explored themes of human nature and the pursuit of happiness. His essays were widely read and influenced the intellectual discourse of the Enlightenment period.

During the French Revolution, the ESPREE family played a significant role in the political upheaval. Antoine Espree (1765-1832) was a member of the Jacobin Club and a staunch supporter of the revolutionary cause. He served as a delegate in the National Convention and was instrumental in shaping the new republican ideals.

In the 19th century, the ESPREE name gained international recognition through the artistic achievements of Émile Espree (1823-1901), a renowned painter known for his vivid landscapes and portraits. His works were exhibited in prestigious salons across Europe and are now part of several renowned art collections.

While the ESPREE surname has French roots, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to carry its historical associations with wit, spirit, and creativity, reflecting the diverse experiences and contributions of those who have borne it throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Espree

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

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 Espree was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 6.97% 26
Non-Hispanic Black Only 87.13% 325
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 2.14% 8
Hispanic Origin 3.22% 12

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 Espree has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 6.97% 4.38% 45.64%
Black 87.13% 87.67% -0.62%
Asian and Pacific Islander (S)% (S)% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)% (S)%
Two or More Races 2.14% 5.75% -91.51%
Hispanic 3.22% 1.64% 65.02%

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

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

Reference this page

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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!

"Espree last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 26, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/espree-surname-popularity/.

"Espree last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/espree-surname-popularity/. Accessed 26 December, 2024

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

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