Gambon
An old French surname potentially derived from the word "gambe" meaning leg.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Gambon. That puts it at #98,099 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gambon 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
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#98,099
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
185
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 185 bearers of the surname Gambon in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 98099th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gambon, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.5%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (11.3%) and Hispanic (5.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gambon
The surname Gambon originated in France during the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "gambon," which referred to a ham or leg of pork. This could suggest that the name's earliest bearers may have been involved in the meat trade or had some association with pigs or pork products.
Gambon is thought to have first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, with some of the earliest documented references found in various charters and census rolls from Normandy and other regions of northern France. The name's spelling has remained relatively consistent over the centuries, although variations such as Gambone and Gambonne have been noted in some ancient documents.
One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Gambon was Renaud Gambon, a merchant from Rouen who was recorded in a tax register in 1278. Another early bearer of the name was Jean Gambon, a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War and was mentioned in a chronicle from the 14th century.
During the late Middle Ages and Renaissance period, the Gambon name was prominent in several French cities, including Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux. Notable figures from this era included Pierre Gambon (1512-1584), a renowned jurist and legal scholar who served as a judge in the Parlement of Paris, and Étienne Gambon (1572-1635), a successful merchant and landowner in the Bordeaux region.
In the 17th century, the Gambon family established itself in the French province of Languedoc, where they played a significant role in local politics and governance. One prominent member was Antoine Gambon (1638-1709), who served as the Mayor of Nîmes and was a respected figure in the Protestant community during a time of religious turmoil.
Another notable individual with the Gambon surname was Jacques Gambon (1756-1828), a French military officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the Légion d'Honneur for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.
Throughout its history, the Gambon name has been associated with various professions, including law, commerce, politics, and military service, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of its bearers across different regions of France.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gambon
Among Census respondents with the surname Gambon, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.5%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (11.3%) and Hispanic (5.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Gambon 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 Gambon surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White80.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander11.3%
- Hispanic or Latino5.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gambon 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 | #98,099 | #98,099 | 0.0% |
| Count | 185 | 185 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gambon bearers went from 185 to 185 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #98,099 to #98,099.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gambon
FAQ
Gambon surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gambon?
The surname Gambon holds position #98,099 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gambon surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gambon, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.5%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (11.3%) and Hispanic (5.4%). 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.