Gance
A surname derived from a nickname for a stout or portly person.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Gance. That puts it at #129,047 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gance 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
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#129,047
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
132
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 132 bearers of the surname Gance in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 129047th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gance, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gance
The surname GANCE is of French origin, tracing its roots back to the region of Provence in southern France during the Middle Ages. Its earliest recorded spelling was "Gances," derived from the Old Provençal word "gansa," meaning "wild goose."
One of the earliest documented instances of the GANCE name appears in a 14th-century manuscript from the city of Marseille, where a merchant named Guilhem Gances is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the area by that time.
In the 16th century, the GANCE surname is found in records from the nearby town of Aix-en-Provence, possibly indicating a migration from Marseille. During this period, variations like "Gancio" and "Ganceau" were also used.
The name GANCE is believed to have originated as a nickname or occupational designation for someone who bred or hunted wild geese. Such surnames were common in medieval times, often reflecting a person's trade or physical characteristics.
A notable bearer of the GANCE name was Jean-Gabriel Gance, a French film director and actor born in 1889. He is best known for his pioneering work in the early days of cinema, particularly his epic film "Napoléon" from 1927.
Another individual of historical significance was Claude Gance, a 17th-century French painter and engraver active in Paris during the reign of Louis XIV. His works can be found in various museums and collections across Europe.
In the 19th century, the GANCE surname appears in records from the village of Éguilles, near Aix-en-Provence. One prominent figure from this time was Honoré Gance, a poet and writer born in 1829, known for his contributions to the literary circles of Marseille.
Crossing the Atlantic, we find Samuel Gance, a French immigrant who settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the early 1800s. He became a successful merchant and landowner, leaving a lasting impact on the city's French Quarter.
Finally, in the 20th century, there was Émile Gance, a French architect born in 1885, renowned for his work on several notable buildings in Paris, including the reconstruction of the Palais de Chaillot after World War II.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gance
Among Census respondents with the surname Gance, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Gance 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 Gance surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White89.4%
- Hispanic or Latino6.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gance 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 | #129,047 | #129,047 | 0.0% |
| Count | 132 | 132 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gance bearers went from 132 to 132 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #129,047 to #129,047.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gance
FAQ
Gance surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gance?
The surname Gance holds position #129,047 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gance surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gance, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.1%). 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.