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

Pitre, 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 Pitre surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pitre in America

Pitre is the 5257th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pitre surname appeared 6,637 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 Pitre.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pitre 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 Pitre

The surname Pitre has its origins in France, specifically in the northern regions of the country. It emerged sometime during the Middle Ages, likely between the 11th and 13th centuries. The name is believed to be derived from the Old French word "pitres," which means "rags" or "tatters." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who wore ragged clothing or had a disheveled appearance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Pitre surname can be found in the "Regestrum Visitationum Archiepiscopi Rothomagensis," a medieval document from the Archdiocese of Rouen, dated around 1248. This document mentions a person named Petrus Pitre, indicating that the name was already in use during that time.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records from the northern regions of France, particularly in the areas around Normandy and Picardy. For instance, a man named Jehan Pitre was mentioned in the municipal records of the town of Rouen in 1380.

The Pitre surname can also be traced back to certain place names in northern France, such as the village of Pitres in the department of Eure. It is possible that some individuals who originated from this village or its surrounding areas adopted the name Pitre as a way to identify their place of origin.

One notable figure with the Pitre surname was François Pitre (1643-1718), a French playwright and actor who gained popularity in Paris during the late 17th century. He was known for his comedic plays and performances, which often satirized the societal norms of his time.

Another prominent individual was Pierre Pitre (1715-1788), a French architect and engineer who was involved in the construction of several notable buildings in Paris, including the Panthéon and the Church of St. Sulpice.

In the 19th century, Marie-Thérèse Pitre (1817-1892), a French educator and social reformer, made significant contributions to the field of education for underprivileged children in Paris. She founded several schools and established programs to provide education and support to children from impoverished backgrounds.

The Pitre surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium and Italy, where it may have been adopted by individuals who migrated from France or had French ancestry.

In the 20th century, one notable figure with the Pitre surname was Charles Pitre (1906-1975), a French-Canadian artist and painter known for his vibrant depictions of rural life in Quebec. His works are celebrated for capturing the essence of the Québécois culture and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pitre

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

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

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

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