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

Melesse, 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 Melesse surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Melesse in America

Melesse is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Melesse surname appeared 106 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 Melesse.

The history of the last name Melesse

The surname MELESSE has its origins in France, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the region of Brittany, specifically in the commune of Melesse, located in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine. This place name is derived from the Gaulish word "Mellitos," meaning "honey-colored" or "golden," likely referring to the color of the local soil or vegetation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MELESSE can be found in the French census records of 1592, where a family with this name was documented as residing in the village of Melesse. Over the centuries, the name has been spelled in various ways, including Melesz, Mellesz, and Mellesse, reflecting the variations in local dialects and scribal practices.

During the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the MELESSE surname was Pierre Melesse (1615-1687), a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Rennes, Brittany. His descendants continued to play a significant role in the local economy and community for several generations.

In the 18th century, the name MELESSE appeared in the records of the French Revolution, with Jean-Baptiste Melesse (1752-1823) being a vocal supporter of the revolutionary cause and serving as a delegate to the National Convention.

As the French empire expanded, the MELESSE name spread to other parts of Europe and beyond. One notable individual was Jacques Melesse (1789-1862), a French military officer who served under Napoleon Bonaparte and participated in several campaigns, including the Napoleonic Wars and the French conquest of Algeria.

Another prominent figure with the MELESSE surname was Marie-Thérèse Melesse (1842-1912), a renowned artist and sculptor from Paris, whose works were exhibited at the prestigious Paris Salon and can be found in various museums across France.

In the late 19th century, the MELESSE name also made its way to the Americas, with immigrants from France settling in various parts of North America, including Canada and the United States. One such individual was Louis Melesse (1871-1945), a French-Canadian entrepreneur who established a successful business in the timber industry in Quebec.

Over the centuries, the MELESSE surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, reflecting the rich history and cultural influences that have shaped this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Melesse

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

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 Melesse 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.

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

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

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