2000
#140,756
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 109
First available Census row
Per 100,000 0.04
Very Rare Last name
Fabec
Possibly derived from the Latin word "faber" meaning "craftsman" or "artisan".
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 135 Americans carry the last name Fabec. That puts it at #143,511 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,538,921 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fabec surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, a multi-census history view, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
135
1 in 2,538,921
Census rank
#143,511
2020 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
118
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 118 bearers of the surname Fabec in its 2020 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 143511th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fabec, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.1%) and Two or More Races (3.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fabec
The surname FABEC originates from the northern regions of France, tracing its roots back to the late 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French words "fabre" and "fabrique," which referred to a skilled artisan or craftsman, particularly those working with metal or wood.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the FABEC surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and their properties commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, including Fabrique, Fabrech, and Fabrec, indicating its evolution over time.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, the FABEC name gained prominence in the regions of Normandy and Brittany, where many members of the family established themselves as respected metalworkers and woodcrafters. Records from this period often mention FABEC artisans commissioned to create intricate works for churches, monasteries, and noble households.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the FABEC name was Jean FABEC, a skilled blacksmith from the village of Rouen. His exceptional craftsmanship earned him recognition, and he was appointed as the official blacksmith to the Duke of Normandy in 1342. Jean FABEC's work can still be admired in the ornate ironwork adorning several historic buildings in the region.
As the centuries progressed, the FABEC surname spread across Europe, with various branches establishing themselves in different countries. One prominent individual was Pierre FABEC (1578-1644), a renowned clockmaker from Flanders who was renowned for his innovative timepiece designs and intricate mechanisms.
Another notable figure was Marie FABEC (1692-1768), a skilled lacemaker from Valenciennes, France, whose exquisite creations were sought after by nobility and royalty throughout Europe. Her delicate lace patterns and techniques were passed down through generations of FABEC lacemakers, contributing to the region's reputation for exceptional craftsmanship.
In the 19th century, the FABEC name gained prominence in the field of architecture. Auguste FABEC (1812-1889), a French architect from Paris, was renowned for his innovative designs and his role in shaping the city's iconic skyline. His most celebrated work is the Palais Garnier, the stunning opera house that remains a architectural marvel to this day.
Throughout history, the FABEC surname has been associated with skilled artisans, craftsmen, and innovators, reflecting the family's long-standing tradition of excellence in various trades and professions. From metalworkers and woodcrafters to clockmakers, lacemakers, and architects, the FABEC name has left an indelible mark on the cultural and artistic heritage of Europe.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fabec
Among Census respondents with the surname Fabec, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.1%) and Two or More Races (3.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Fabec bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2020 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Percentages are shown for every Census year so the breakdown stays comparable over time. When the source file also includes raw headcounts, Name Census shows those alongside the percentages in the legend.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Fabec surname at the time of the 2020 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.7% · 107
- Hispanic or Latino5.1% · 6
- Two or more races3.4% · 4
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8% · 1
Timeline
Historical Census data for Fabec
Fabec appears in 3 published Census surname files: 2000, 2010, 2020. The cards below show how the name's rank and bearer count changed across each release.
2010
#147,253
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 112
+3 bearers (+2.8%)
Per 100,000 0.04
Rank movement Down 6,497 places
2020
#143,511
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 118
+6 bearers (+5.4%)
Per 100,000 0.04
Rank movement Up 3,742 places
| Year | Rank | Count | Per 100K | Count change | Rank change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | #140,756 | 109 | 0.04 | First available Census row | First available Census row |
| 2010 | #147,253 | 112 | 0.04 | +3 bearers (+2.8%) | Down 6,497 places |
| 2020 | #143,511 | 118 | 0.04 | +6 bearers (+5.4%) | Up 3,742 places |
For 2020, the Census Bureau published race and Hispanic-origin columns as counts rather than percentages. Name Census converts those counts back into shares so the ancestry section stays comparable with the older surname files.
Year on year
2010 vs 2020 Census
How has the Fabec surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
20102020
| Metric | 2010 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #147,253 | #143,511 | 2.5% |
| Count | 112 | 118 | 5.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | -1.3% |
Between the 2010 and 2020 Census, the number of Fabec bearers went from 112 to 118 (+5.4% change). The surname moved up 3,742 positions in the national ranking, going from #147,253 to #143,511.
FAQ
Fabec surname: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. have the surname Fabec?
Name Census estimates that about 135 living Americans carry the surname Fabec. Using the current population baseline, that works out to roughly 1 in 2,538,921 residents.
How common is Fabec?
Fabec ranks #143,511 in the 2020 Census surname tables and is classified on this site as "Very Rare." The Census recorded the name at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, which is about 0 people out of every 100,000.
How many people with this surname were counted in the Census?
The raw 2020 Census file counted 118 people with the surname Fabec. That is different from the site's living-bearer estimate (135), which projects the surname's present-day count by applying the Census frequency rate to the current U.S. population.
What does 0.04 per 100,000 actually mean?
It is the Census Bureau's normalized frequency measure. A rate of 0.04 per 100,000 means that if you picked a random group of 100,000 U.S. residents, you would expect about 0 of them to have the surname Fabec.
Has Fabec become more or less common over time?
Between 2010 and 2020, the surname Fabec went from 112 recorded bearers to 118. That is an increase of 6 (+5.4%). In the national ranking it rose from #147,253 to #143,511.
What does the Census say about the background of Fabec?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fabec, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.1%) and Two or More Races (3.4%). These figures come from the 2020 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Which group reports this surname most often?
White is the largest self-reported group for the surname Fabec in the 2020 Census, accounting for 90.7% (107 people in the source table).
What is the full ancestry breakdown?
Fabec appears across multiple self-reported groups in the Census data. The largest shares in the 2020 file are White (90.7%), Hispanic (5.1%), Two or More Races (3.4%). For 2020, the source file also published raw headcounts for each group, which is why this page can show both percentages and counts in the ancestry section.
Is this page using the latest Census data?
Yes. This page is using the latest surname file currently loaded on Name Census, which is 2020. The historical section above also keeps any older Census surname entries we have for Fabec (2000, 2010, 2020).
Does the Census include every surname?
No. The Census Bureau only publishes surnames that appeared at least 100 times in a given decennial Census. That means very rare surnames are excluded entirely, and a surname can appear in one Census release but disappear from a later one if it falls below the reporting threshold.
Why don't the ancestry percentages always add up to exactly 100%?
There are two main reasons: rounding and suppression. The Census Bureau rounds published values, and it may suppress very small cells to protect privacy. For 2020, the Bureau also published raw group counts rather than direct percentages, so Name Census converts those counts back into shares for comparability across census years.
What does Fabec mean?
Possibly derived from the Latin word "faber" meaning "craftsman" or "artisan". The fuller origin note on this page goes into more detail.
Where does the surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These files list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2020 Census, along with a count, a per-100,000 rate, and a self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.
How does Name Census estimate living bearers?
For surnames, Name Census does not age cohorts the way it does for first names. Instead, it takes the Census Bureau's published frequency for Fabec (0.04 per 100,000) and applies that rate to the current U.S. resident population to estimate how many living Americans have the surname today.
How many people are called Fabec?
For a quick modern take, check how many people are called Fabec on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.