Lorence
A surname of French origin meaning "from Lorraine", a province in France.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,988 Americans carry the last name Lorence. That puts it at #16,696 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.58 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 172,412 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lorence 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
2.0K
1 in 172,412
Census rank
#16,696
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.7K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,715 bearers of the surname Lorence in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.58 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 16696th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lorence, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Black (1.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lorence
The surname Lorence is believed to have originated in France during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum," a town located near ancient Rome. The name was brought to France during the Norman Conquest and evolved into various spellings such as Lorence, Laurence, and Laurens.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Lorence" in the county of Lincolnshire, England. This suggests that the name had already been established in France and was carried to England by Norman settlers.
In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Robert Lorence was recorded as a merchant and landowner in the city of Bordeaux, France. He played a significant role in the local economy and was considered a respected member of the community.
During the 14th century, a notable individual named Jacques Lorence (1310-1382) lived in the town of Avignon, France. He was a skilled carpenter and craftsman, known for his intricate woodwork in churches and cathedrals across the region.
In the 16th century, a French explorer named Jean Lorence (1520-1588) was among the first Europeans to venture into the New World. He accompanied Jacques Cartier on his third voyage to Canada and is credited with establishing a settlement along the St. Lawrence River.
Another historical figure with the surname Lorence was Marie Lorence (1645-1718), a French noblewoman who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Marie Thérèse of France. She was known for her influence and political connections within the French court during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Throughout history, the surname Lorence has been associated with various place names, such as Laurens in France, Laurencekirk in Scotland, and Laurentian in Canada, which further reinforces its connection to the Latin name Laurentius.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lorence
Among Census respondents with the surname Lorence, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Black (1.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Lorence 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 Lorence surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.4%
- Hispanic or Latino4.5%
- Black or African American1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- Two or more races0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lorence 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 | #17,710 | #16,696 | 5.7% |
| Count | 1,459 | 1,715 | 17.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.54 | 0.58 | 7.4% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Lorence bearers went from 1,459 to 1,715 (+17.5% change). The surname moved up 1,014 positions in the national ranking, going from #17,710 to #16,696.
FAQ
Lorence surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lorence?
The surname Lorence holds position #16,696 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,988 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.58 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lorence surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lorence, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Black (1.3%). 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.