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

Laite, 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 Laite surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Laite in America

Laite is the 94730th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Laite surname appeared 193 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Laite.

We can also compare 2010 data for Laite 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 Laite

The surname Laite has its origins in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is believed to be derived from the Old French word "lait," meaning milk, suggesting a possible connection to dairy farming or the trade of milk-related products in the region.

During the medieval period, the name Laite was primarily concentrated in the northern and central regions of France, particularly in areas around Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region. Historical records from the 13th century mention individuals bearing the surname Laite in various capacities, such as merchants, artisans, and landowners.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Laite can be found in the "Livre des Métiers" (Book of Trades), a compilation of guild regulations from Paris dating back to the early 13th century. This manuscript includes references to individuals with the surname Laite who were involved in the dairy trade or related professions.

In the 14th century, the name Laite appeared in several tax records and property deeds from the region of Normandy, suggesting the presence of families with this surname in the area. Notable individuals from this period include Jean Laite, a landowner from the village of Rouen, born around 1320.

The 16th century saw the name Laite spread to other parts of France, including the southern regions. One prominent figure was Pierre Laite, a merchant from Marseille, who lived between 1525 and 1592. He was known for his successful trading ventures in the Mediterranean region.

As the name Laite became more widespread, various spelling variations emerged, such as Lait, Laitte, and Laitier, reflecting regional linguistic variations and scribal practices of the time. Some of these variations may have been influenced by the proximity of certain place names, like the village of Laitre in the Picardy region.

Another notable individual bearing the surname Laite was Marguerite Laite, a poet and writer from Lyon, who lived from 1605 to 1678. Her collection of poetry, titled "Les Fleurs du Printemps" (The Flowers of Spring), gained recognition among literary circles of the time.

In the 18th century, the name Laite was found in various parts of France, with families residing in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux. One significant figure was Jacques Laite, a prominent lawyer and legal scholar from Paris, who lived from 1712 to 1786.

The 19th century saw the continued presence of the Laite surname across France, with individuals from different backgrounds and professions, such as artists, educators, and businessmen. One notable example is Émile Laite, a renowned painter from Marseille, who lived from 1825 to 1891 and was known for his landscapes and seascapes.

While the surname Laite has its origins in France, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and migration, with variations in spelling and pronunciation reflecting the diverse cultural influences it has encountered over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Laite

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

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

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

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