Latortue
A French surname derived from the words 'la' and 'tortue', meaning 'the tortoise'.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 377 Americans carry the last name Latortue. That puts it at #64,200 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.11 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 909,163 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Latortue 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
377
1 in 909,163
Census rank
#64,200
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
310
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 310 bearers of the surname Latortue in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 64200th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Latortue, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and White (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Latortue
The surname LATORTUE has its origins in France, dating back to the 16th century. It is a French topographic name derived from the Old French words "la" meaning "the" and "tortue" meaning "tortoise" or "turtle." The name likely referred to someone who lived near a place where tortoises were found or to a person who had some association with tortoises, such as a breeder or trader.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name LATORTUE appears in the parish records of Normandy in 1597, where a Jean LATORTUE is mentioned. The name can also be found in other parts of northern France during this period, suggesting it may have originated as a regional nickname or descriptive name.
In the 17th century, the LATORTUE name appears in several historical documents and manuscripts. For example, a Pierre LATORTUE is listed as a merchant in the city of Rouen in 1632, while a Jacques LATORTUE is recorded as a landowner in the village of Beauvais in 1671.
During the 18th century, the LATORTUE name began to spread beyond France as French settlers and explorers traveled to other parts of the world. One notable figure from this time was Louis LATORTUE, a French navigator born in 1712 who explored the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
In the 19th century, several individuals with the LATORTUE surname gained prominence in various fields. For instance, Émile LATORTUE (1831-1907) was a French politician and lawyer who served as a deputy in the National Assembly. Another prominent figure was Charles LATORTUE (1845-1923), a French painter known for his landscapes and still life works.
Another individual worth mentioning is Léon LATORTUE (1876-1942), a French novelist and playwright who wrote several popular works in the early 20th century. Additionally, there was André LATORTUE (1901-1978), a French architect who designed several notable buildings in Paris and other cities.
Throughout its history, the LATORTUE surname has maintained a strong presence in France, while also spreading to other countries through migration and exploration. Despite its humble origins as a descriptive name, it has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Latortue
Among Census respondents with the surname Latortue, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and White (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Latortue 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 Latortue surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American92.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.9%
- White1.9%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Unknown or suppressed0.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Latortue 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #73,931 | #64,200 | 13.2% |
| Count | 244 | 310 | 27.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.11 | 22.2% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Latortue bearers went from 244 to 310 (+27.0% change). The surname moved up 9,731 positions in the national ranking, going from #73,931 to #64,200.
FAQ
Latortue surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Latortue?
The surname Latortue holds position #64,200 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 377 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Latortue surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Latortue, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and White (1.9%). 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.