Ladouceur
A French surname meaning "the sweet one" or "the gentle one."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,508 Americans carry the last name Ladouceur. That puts it at #20,565 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.44 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 227,291 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Ladouceur 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
1.5K
1 in 227,291
Census rank
#20,565
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,289 bearers of the surname Ladouceur in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.44 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 20565th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Ladouceur, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.3%. The next largest groups are Black (19.1%) and Two or More Races (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Ladouceur
The surname LADOUCEUR originated in France, with its roots tracing back to the 16th century. It is derived from the French phrase "la douceur," which translates to "sweetness" or "gentleness." This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone with a kind or mild-mannered personality.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LADOUCEUR surname can be found in the parish records of Normandy, where a certain Jean LADOUCEUR was documented in 1587. The name also appears in various historical documents from the regions of Brittany and Picardy during the 17th century.
In the 18th century, the LADOUCEUR name gained prominence with the birth of François LADOUCEUR (1700-1782), a renowned French poet and philosopher. His works, which celebrated the virtues of kindness and compassion, contributed to the widespread recognition of the LADOUCEUR name.
Another notable individual with this surname was Marie-Thérèse LADOUCEUR (1745-1821), a French aristocrat and philanthropist known for her charitable works and support for education initiatives in her region.
As the LADOUCEUR family spread across France, variations in spelling emerged, including LADOUSEUR, LADOUCAIRS, and LADOUSAIRS. Some branches of the family also adopted the name DOUCECRÉE, which translates to "sweet creation" or "gentle birth."
In the 19th century, the LADOUCEUR name found its way to Canada, where André LADOUCEUR (1832-1912), a successful businessman and community leader, established himself in Quebec. His descendants continue to carry on the LADOUCEUR legacy in various parts of the country.
One of the most celebrated figures with this surname was the French novelist and playwright, Émile LADOUCEUR (1876-1948), whose works explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition with remarkable sensitivity and depth.
Throughout its long history, the surname LADOUCEUR has been associated with individuals who embodied the qualities of kindness, gentleness, and compassion, reflecting the essence of its etymological roots.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Ladouceur
Among Census respondents with the surname Ladouceur, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.3%. The next largest groups are Black (19.1%) and Two or More Races (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Ladouceur 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 Ladouceur surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White76.3%
- Black or African American19.1%
- Two or more races2.3%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Ladouceur 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 | #20,565 | #20,565 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,289 | 1,289 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Ladouceur bearers went from 1,289 to 1,289 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #20,565 to #20,565.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Ladouceur
FAQ
Ladouceur surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Ladouceur?
The surname Ladouceur holds position #20,565 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,508 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.44 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Ladouceur surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Ladouceur, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.3%. The next largest groups are Black (19.1%) and Two or More Races (2.3%). 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.