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

Messier, 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 Messier surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Messier in America

Messier is the 7532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Messier surname appeared 4,413 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 Messier.

We can also compare 2010 data for Messier 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 Messier

The surname Messier originated in France, tracing its roots back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Old French word "messier," meaning a reaper or harvester. This occupational name was initially given to those who worked in agriculture, particularly during the harvest season.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Messier can be found in various historical documents from the regions of Normandy and Brittany in northern France. These regions were known for their fertile lands and thriving agricultural communities, which could explain the prevalence of the surname in those areas.

One notable historical reference to the name Messier is found in the "Livre des métiers," a medieval manuscript from the 13th century that documented various professions and trades. This manuscript provides valuable insights into the occupational origins of surnames like Messier.

In the 17th century, a prominent figure bearing the surname Messier was Charles Messier, a French astronomer born in 1730 and known for his significant contributions to the study of comets and deep-sky objects. His catalog of nebulae and star clusters, known as the "Messier Catalog," remains an essential reference in modern astronomy.

Another individual of historical significance was Nicolas Messier, a French composer and musician born in 1618. He served as a court musician to King Louis XIV and composed numerous works for the French royal court.

During the 18th century, the Messier family played a notable role in the French Revolution. Jean-Baptiste Messier, born in 1756, was a prominent revolutionary and politician who served as a deputy in the National Convention during the turbulent years of the Revolution.

In the literary realm, François-Victor Messier, born in 1775, was a French writer and poet known for his works that explored themes of nature and rural life. His poetic descriptions of the French countryside and its agricultural traditions reflect the historical roots of the Messier surname.

Another notable figure was Marie-Thérèse Messier, born in 1848, who was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in France. She established several schools and fought for equal educational opportunities for girls and women.

Throughout its history, the surname Messier has been associated with various professions, from agriculture and astronomy to music, literature, and politics. While its origins can be traced back to the humble occupation of a harvester, the name has left an enduring mark across various fields and disciplines.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Messier

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

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

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

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