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

LaFollette, 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 LaFollette surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of LaFollette in America

LaFollette is the 10866th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The LaFollette surname appeared 2,932 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 LaFollette.

We can also compare 2010 data for LaFollette 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 LaFollette

The surname LaFollette has its origins in France, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the French words "la" meaning "the" and "follette" meaning "little mad one" or "imp." This suggests that the name may have been originally used as a nickname for someone with a mischievous or playful personality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the parish records of Normandy, where a certain Jean LaFollette was born in 1587. It is believed that the family may have originated from the region of Calvados, known for its apple orchards and cider production.

During the 17th century, the LaFollette family established itself in the northern regions of France, particularly in the provinces of Picardy and Champagne. Records from this period indicate that several members of the family were involved in the wine trade, which was a significant industry in the region.

In the late 18th century, a member of the LaFollette family, Jacques LaFollette (1752-1825), gained recognition as a skilled clockmaker and horologist. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the French nobility and even found their way into the court of King Louis XVI.

In the 19th century, the name LaFollette became more widespread as members of the family migrated to other parts of Europe and the Americas. One notable individual was Robert M. LaFollette (1855-1925), an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, Governor of Wisconsin, and United States Senator. He was a leading figure in the Progressive Movement and was known for his advocacy of political reforms and environmental conservation.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Suzanne LaFollette (1893-1983), a French journalist and author. She was a prominent figure in the French Resistance during World War II and wrote extensively about her experiences in her memoir, "Elles Étaient Simples et Vraies" (They Were Simple and True).

Other individuals with the surname LaFollette who have left their mark in various fields include:

1. George LaFollette (1868-1960), an American businessman and philanthropist, founder of the LaFollette Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin.
2. Philip LaFollette (1897-1965), an American author and journalist, known for his works on political and social issues.
3. Yvonne LaFollette (1921-2008), a French actress and singer, who appeared in numerous films and stage productions.
4. Pierre LaFollette (1939-2021), a French-American engineer and inventor, known for his contributions to the development of laser technology.

Despite its French origins, the surname LaFollette has since spread to various parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns and historical movements of different families bearing this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name LaFollette

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

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

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

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