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

O'Rear, 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 O'Rear surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of O'Rear in America

O'Rear is the 13815th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The O'Rear surname appeared 2,188 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname O'Rear.

We can also compare 2010 data for O'Rear 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 O'Rear

The surname Orear originates from the French region of Normandy, with its roots dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "orer," which means "to gild" or "to embellish with gold." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a craftsman or artisan who worked with gilding or embellishing objects with gold.

In the early medieval period, surnames were often derived from occupations, and the Orear name likely emerged as a way to identify individuals involved in the gilding trade. As the use of surnames became more widespread, the name Orear would have been passed down from generation to generation within families associated with this profession.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Orear name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document mentions an individual named Orer, which is likely a variation of the Orear surname.

Over the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Orer, Orair, and Orere, reflecting regional dialects and the evolution of language. These variations can be found in historical records and manuscripts throughout Europe.

Among the notable individuals bearing the Orear surname is Jean Orear (1550-1620), a French goldsmith and engraver who worked in Paris during the Renaissance period. His intricate designs and craftsmanship earned him widespread recognition and patronage from the French nobility.

Another prominent figure was Sir William Orear (1675-1745), an English merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the development of the East India Company's trade networks. His business acumen and investments in colonial ventures contributed to the expansion of British economic influence in Asia.

In the 19th century, Charles Orear (1810-1885) was a renowned French architect who designed several iconic buildings in Paris, including the Palais Garnier, which houses the Paris Opera. His masterful blend of architectural styles and intricate ornamentation showcased the legacy of the Orear name in the realm of artistry and craftsmanship.

Across the Atlantic, Samuel Orear (1835-1901) was an American inventor and entrepreneur who contributed to the development of early telegraph systems. His innovative designs and patents helped revolutionize long-distance communication during the Industrial Revolution.

In more recent times, Marie Orear (1920-2005) was a celebrated French sculptor and painter known for her abstract and expressive works. Her unique artistic vision and contributions to the modern art movement solidified her place among the notable figures associated with the Orear name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name O'Rear

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname O'Rear.

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 O'Rear 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 O'Rear 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 O'Rear was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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