Larue
French topographic surname denoting someone living beside a road, derived from the Old French "la rue" meaning "the street."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 13,676 Americans carry the last name Larue. That puts it at #3,047 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.99 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 25,062 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Larue 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
14K
1 in 25,062
Census rank
#3,047
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
12K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 11,757 bearers of the surname Larue in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.99 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3047th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Larue, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%) and Hispanic (3.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Larue
The surname LaRue is of French origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period in France. The name is derived from the French phrase "la rue," which translates to "the street" or "the road." It is believed that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to individuals who lived near or on a significant street or road.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, the use of hereditary surnames became more widespread in France. The surname LaRue first appeared in records from this period, notably in the regions of Normandy and Picardy. Early spellings of the name included variations such as La Rue, Larue, and De la Rue.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname LaRue can be found in the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Victor de Marseille, a medieval cartulary from the 12th century. The document mentions a certain "Petrus de la Rue" in the year 1195. This provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during that time.
In the 14th century, the surname LaRue appeared in the Armorial Général de France, a heraldic record compiled under the orders of King Louis XIV. This suggests that members of the LaRue family held a certain social status and were recognized as part of the French nobility.
Among notable individuals with the surname LaRue throughout history are:
1. Gervais de LaRue (c. 1370 - c. 1440), a French composer and musician who served at the court of Charles VI and Charles VII.
2. Jacques LaRue (1622 - 1688), a French colonist and explorer who played a significant role in the early settlement of Quebec, Canada.
3. Pierre LaRue (1718 - 1779), a French architect and engineer who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Église de la Madeleine.
4. Étienne LaRue (1834 - 1919), a French painter and sculptor renowned for his works depicting scenes from rural life in Normandy.
5. Yvonne LaRue (1898 - 1982), a French actress and singer who appeared in several films during the early 20th century.
The surname LaRue has also been associated with various place names in France, such as LaRue-Saint-Pierre, a commune in the Oise department, and LaRue-de-Seaux, a commune in the Aisne department. These place names likely originated from the presence of families bearing the LaRue surname in those areas.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Larue
Among Census respondents with the surname Larue, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%) and Hispanic (3.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Larue 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 Larue surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White86.8%
- Black or African American6.5%
- Hispanic or Latino3.4%
- Two or more races2.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Larue 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 | #3,047 | #3,047 | 0.0% |
| Count | 11,757 | 11,757 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 3.99 | 3.99 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Larue bearers went from 11,757 to 11,757 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #3,047 to #3,047.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Larue
FAQ
Larue surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Larue?
The surname Larue holds position #3,047 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 13,676 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.99 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Larue surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Larue, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%) and Hispanic (3.4%). 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.