Fosse
A French surname topographically referring to a ditch or trench.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 857 Americans carry the last name Fosse. That puts it at #31,360 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.25 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 399,947 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fosse 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
857
1 in 399,947
Census rank
#31,360
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
739
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 739 bearers of the surname Fosse in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.25 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 31360th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fosse, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Two or More Races (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fosse
The surname Fosse originated in France, derived from the Old French word "fosse" meaning "ditch" or "trench." It is thought to have emerged as a habitational name, given to someone who lived near a ditch or trench, or as an occupational name for someone who dug ditches or trenches.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fosse can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions individuals with the name Fosse residing in various parts of England, indicating that the name had already spread from France to England by the 11th century.
The name Fosse has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One example is Robert de Fosse, a Norman knight who participated in the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 and was granted lands in Leicestershire.
Another early bearer of the name was Guillaume de Fosse, a 13th-century French poet and composer who is considered one of the earliest trouvères, or poet-musicians, of medieval France.
In the 15th century, Jean de la Fosse served as a French ambassador to England and was involved in the negotiations for the Treaty of Picquigny in 1475, which temporarily resolved conflicts between France and England.
During the 16th century, André de Fosse (1504-1558) was a renowned French architect who worked on several notable projects, including the Château de Chambord and the Château de Chenonceau.
In the 19th century, Charles de Fosse (1636-1716) was a French dramatist and author who wrote several tragedies and comedies, including "Manlius Capitolinus" and "Le Jaloux Désabusé."
It is worth noting that the surname Fosse has also undergone various spelling variations over time, such as Foss, Fosse, Foss, and Fossé, reflecting the linguistic and regional differences in different parts of Europe.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fosse
Among Census respondents with the surname Fosse, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Two or More Races (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Fosse 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 Fosse surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.5%
- Hispanic or Latino4.5%
- Two or more races2.2%
- Black or African American0.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Fosse 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 | #31,360 | #31,360 | 0.0% |
| Count | 739 | 739 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Fosse bearers went from 739 to 739 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #31,360 to #31,360.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Fosse
FAQ
Fosse surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Fosse?
The surname Fosse holds position #31,360 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 857 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.25 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Fosse surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fosse, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Two or More Races (2.2%). 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.