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

Letourneau, 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 Letourneau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Letourneau in America

Letourneau is the 6961st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Letourneau surname appeared 4,818 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Letourneau.

We can also compare 2010 data for Letourneau 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 Letourneau

The surname LETOURNEAU originates from France, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French words "le" meaning "the" and "tourneau" meaning "potter's wheel," indicating an occupational surname associated with pottery-making.

During the Middle Ages, surnames were often derived from a person's occupation, location, or physical characteristics. The name LETOURNEAU likely referred to an individual who worked as a potter or operated a potter's wheel.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in a document from the region of Normandy in 1185, where it was spelled "Le Tourneau." This spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that period.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Pierre LETOURNEAU was mentioned in a manuscript from the city of Rouen, where he was described as a skilled potter. His work was highly regarded, and he is believed to have contributed to the region's thriving pottery trade.

The surname LETOURNEAU gained prominence in the 16th century, with Jacques LETOURNEAU (1525-1598), a prominent merchant and landowner from the village of Bernay. He was known for his successful business ventures and his philanthropic efforts in supporting local churches and schools.

Another influential LETOURNEAU was Marie LETOURNEAU (1612-1678), a renowned author and poet from Paris. She was celebrated for her poetic works, which often explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality. Her literary contributions earned her recognition among the intellectual circles of her time.

In the 18th century, the name LETOURNEAU was associated with the French Revolution. Jean-Baptiste LETOURNEAU (1745-1805) was a prominent revolutionary figure who served as a member of the National Convention and played a role in the abolition of slavery in the French colonies.

Throughout history, the LETOURNEAU surname has been found in various regions of France, including Normandy, Brittany, and the Paris region. It has also been carried by individuals who migrated to other parts of the world, contributing to the surname's global presence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Letourneau

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

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

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

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