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

Pelletier, 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 Pelletier surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pelletier in America

Pelletier is the 2026th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pelletier surname appeared 17,808 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 6 people would have the surname Pelletier.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pelletier 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 Pelletier

The surname Pelletier originated in France, specifically in the region of Normandy. The name dates back to the Middle Ages, and it is derived from the Old French word "pelletier," which means "furrier" or "skinner." This occupation-based surname was given to individuals who worked in the fur trade, either as tanners, furriers, or dealers in animal skins.

The earliest recorded reference to the Pelletier surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and tenants compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Peliter," "Peltier," and "Peltyre," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and writing at that time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Pelletier name was Jean Pelletier, a renowned furrier who lived in Paris during the 13th century. He was highly regarded for his exceptional craftsmanship and was commissioned to create fur garments for the French royal court.

In the 14th century, the Pelletier family established themselves in the town of Rouen, where they became prominent members of the local fur trade guild. Records from this period mention Guillaume Pelletier, a respected furrier and merchant, who played a significant role in the town's economic and social life.

During the 16th century, the Pelletier surname gained further prominence with the birth of Jacques Pelletier (1517-1582), a renowned French mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the fields of navigation and cartography, and his work influenced many subsequent scholars and explorers.

Another notable figure with the Pelletier surname was Pierre Pelletier (1644-1711), a French playwright and poet. He was a member of the prestigious Académie Française and is remembered for his satirical plays and poems that offered insightful social commentary on the society of his time.

In the 19th century, the Pelletier family produced several notable figures, including Anselme Pelletier (1817-1891), a French chemist and pioneer in the field of organic chemistry. He is best known for his isolation of the alkaloid, caffeine, from coffee beans.

Throughout history, the Pelletier surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scientists, and scholars. While its origins are rooted in the fur trade, the name has transcended its occupational roots and become a respected surname in its own right.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pelletier

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

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

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

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