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

Fondren, 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 Fondren surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fondren in America

Fondren is the 11759th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fondren surname appeared 2,664 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Fondren.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fondren 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 Fondren

The surname Fondren is believed to have originated in France during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "fonder," which means "to found" or "to establish." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was involved in the founding or establishment of a town, village, or other settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fondren appears in a French parish register from the 14th century. The entry mentions a man named Jacques Fondren, who was a landowner in the region of Normandy. It is possible that the name was initially associated with this area of northern France.

In the 15th century, there are records of a family with the surname Fondren living in the town of Rouen, which was an important commercial center at the time. This suggests that the name may have been associated with trade or commerce during this period.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Fondren name began to spread across France and into other parts of Europe. One notable figure from this era was Jean Fondren, a French philosopher and writer who lived from 1586 to 1652. His works explored themes of ethics and morality, and he was considered an influential thinker of his time.

In the 18th century, a man named Pierre Fondren (1732-1809) gained recognition as a skilled architect and engineer. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings and structures in Paris, including the Palais-Royal and the Théâtre de l'Odéon.

As the Fondren name continued to spread in the 19th century, it also made its way to other parts of the world, including the United States. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in America was that of Jacques Fondren (1812-1887), a French immigrant who settled in Louisiana and became a successful businessman and landowner.

Another notable figure from the 19th century was Marie Fondren (1845-1923), a French novelist and playwright. Her works often explored themes of love, passion, and social issues of the time, and she was considered a pioneering figure in the French literary scene.

In the 20th century, the Fondren name continued to be associated with various fields, including academia, business, and the arts. One example is Walter Fondren (1901-1979), an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Fondren Library at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Overall, the surname Fondren has a rich history spanning several centuries and regions, with its origins rooted in the French language and culture. While it has evolved and spread across the globe, the name continues to carry a sense of establishment and foundation, reflecting its linguistic roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fondren

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

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

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

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