Lafalaise
A French surname referring to someone living near a cliff or steep rock face.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Lafalaise. That puts it at #125,282 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lafalaise 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
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#125,282
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
137
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 137 bearers of the surname Lafalaise in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 125282nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lafalaise, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lafalaise
The surname LAFALAISE has its origins in France, dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the French phrase "la falaise," which translates to "the cliff." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or on a cliff, or perhaps a prominent landform in the region.
One of the earliest recorded references to the LAFALAISE surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholders and their properties compiled in 1086 on the orders of William the Conqueror. This entry provides evidence of the name's existence during the Norman conquest of England.
In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the LAFALAISE surname was Jean de LAFALAISE, a French knight who participated in the Seventh Crusade led by King Louis IX of France. Jean de LAFALAISE is mentioned in several chronicles and historical accounts of the time, solidifying the name's significance during the Middle Ages.
The LAFALAISE name is also linked to the French town of Falaise, located in the Calvados department of Normandy. It is possible that some individuals bearing this surname were originally from or associated with this town, contributing to the name's geographic origins.
Another prominent individual with the LAFALAISE surname was Guillaume de LAFALAISE, a 14th-century French nobleman and landowner. Historical records indicate that he was a prominent figure in the court of King Charles V of France and held substantial estates in the Normandy region.
In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the LAFALAISE name was Jeanne de LAFALAISE, a French noblewoman and philanthropist. She was known for her charitable works and founded a hospital in her hometown, which bore her name for many years.
The LAFALAISE surname has also been associated with various place names and locations throughout France, such as the villages of Lafalaise-sur-Loing and Lafalaise-en-Vexin. These place names likely evolved from the original surname, further solidifying its connection to specific geographic regions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lafalaise
Among Census respondents with the surname Lafalaise, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Lafalaise 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 Lafalaise surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American92.7%
- Two or more races4.4%
- Unknown or suppressed2.9%
FAQ
Lafalaise surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lafalaise?
The surname Lafalaise holds position #125,282 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lafalaise surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lafalaise, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.4%). 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.