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

LaClair, 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 LaClair surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of LaClair in America

LaClair is the 11984th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The LaClair surname appeared 2,606 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 LaClair.

We can also compare 2010 data for LaClair 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 LaClair

The surname LACLAIR is of French origin and can be traced back to the early 19th century. It is believed to have originated from the region of Normandy in northern France. The name is derived from the Old French words "la" meaning "the" and "clere" meaning "clear" or "bright", likely referring to someone who lived near a clear stream or river.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname LACLAIR can be found in the French census records of 1836, where a family by the name of LACLAIR was listed as residing in the town of Rouen, Normandy. The name was also present in various parish records and land deeds from the same region during the 18th and 19th centuries.

In the late 19th century, several individuals with the surname LACLAIR were noted for their contributions to various fields. One such individual was Jean-Baptiste LACLAIR (1835-1901), a renowned French painter known for his landscapes and portraits. Another notable LACLAIR was Marie-Antoinette LACLAIR (1845-1912), a renowned French author and poet whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.

As the 20th century dawned, the name LACLAIR began to spread beyond the borders of France. In 1902, a young man named Pierre LACLAIR (1880-1957) immigrated to Canada, settling in the province of Quebec. He went on to become a successful businessman and was instrumental in the establishment of several factories in the region.

Across the Atlantic, in the United States, a prominent figure named William LACLAIR (1892-1968) made a name for himself as a skilled architect. He was responsible for designing several landmark buildings in New York City, including the iconic Chrysler Building, which was completed in 1930.

Another notable individual with the surname LACLAIR was Marie-Claire LACLAIR (1910-1998), a French resistance fighter during World War II. She played a crucial role in the Underground Resistance movement, risking her life to smuggle Allied soldiers and intelligence across enemy lines. Her bravery and dedication earned her numerous military honors and decorations.

While these are just a few examples, the surname LACLAIR has a rich history spanning centuries and continents, with individuals from various walks of life leaving their mark on the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name LaClair

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

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

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

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