Fontaine
Derived from a French topographic name indicating someone who lived near a spring or well.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 13,813 Americans carry the last name Fontaine. That puts it at #3,012 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 4.03 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 24,814 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fontaine surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, 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
14K
1 in 24,814
Census rank
#3,012
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
12K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 11,901 bearers of the surname Fontaine in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 4.03 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3012th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fontaine, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.7%) and Hispanic (4.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fontaine
The surname Fontaine originated from the French language and was first recorded in the regions of Normandy and Brittany in France during the early Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "fontaine," meaning "fountain" or "spring," which itself stems from the Latin word "fontana."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Fontaine can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This medieval manuscript lists several individuals bearing the surname, indicating that it was already established by the 11th century.
In the 12th century, a Norman knight named Ralph de Fontaine accompanied King Richard I on the Third Crusade. He is mentioned in historical chronicles of the time, demonstrating the presence of the surname among the nobility during that era.
During the 13th century, the Fontaine family established themselves in the village of Fontaine-la-Soret, located in the Eure department of Normandy. This place name, derived from the surname, further reinforces the connection between the family and the word "fontaine."
One notable individual with the surname Fontaine was Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695), a renowned French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. His collection of fables, known as "Fables of La Fontaine," has been widely acclaimed and translated into numerous languages.
Another prominent figure was Pierre Fontaine (1662-1728), a French Huguenot religious leader and writer who fled to England during the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. He authored several influential works on Protestantism and served as a minister in various congregations in London.
In the 18th century, Louis de Fontaine (1757-1821) was a French military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War as a major general in the Continental Army. He was later awarded the prestigious Order of the Cincinnati for his service.
Marie Fontaine (1891-1985) was a French World War I nurse who served with the Red Cross and was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her bravery and dedication during the conflict.
More recently, Alfred Fontaine (1921-2010) was a French-Canadian artist and sculptor renowned for his abstract and modernist works, which were widely exhibited in Canada and internationally.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fontaine
Among Census respondents with the surname Fontaine, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.7%) and Hispanic (4.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Fontaine bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 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.
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 Fontaine surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White83.5%
- Black or African American9.7%
- Hispanic or Latino4.0%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Fontaine surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #3,012 | #3,012 | 0.0% |
| Count | 11,901 | 11,901 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 4.03 | 4.03 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Fontaine bearers went from 11,901 to 11,901 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #3,012 to #3,012.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Fontaine
FAQ
Fontaine surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Fontaine?
The surname Fontaine holds position #3,012 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 13,813 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 4.03 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Fontaine surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fontaine, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.7%) and Hispanic (4.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.