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

Poissant, 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 Poissant surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Poissant in America

Poissant is the 34618th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Poissant surname appeared 653 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 Poissant.

We can also compare 2010 data for Poissant 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 Poissant

The surname "POISSANT" is of French origin, originating in the northern regions of France during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "poisson," meaning "fish," suggesting that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who worked as a fisherman or had a particular affinity for fishing.

The name can be traced back to the 13th century, with early records showing variations in spelling such as "Poissant," "Poissont," and "Poysont." These variations were common during that era due to the inconsistencies in record-keeping and the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One of the earliest known references to the name "POISSANT" can be found in the "Livre des Métiers" (Book of Trades) from Paris, dated around 1268. This document listed various professions and trades, including those related to fishing, suggesting a potential connection between the name and the occupation.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in several historical records, such as the "Rôles d'Impôts" (Tax Rolls) of Normandy and Picardy. These records often listed individuals by their surnames, providing valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of the name during that time.

One notable figure bearing the surname "POISSANT" was Jean Poissant, a merchant and landowner who lived in the village of Oissel, near Rouen, in the late 15th century. Records from that era indicate that he was a respected member of the local community and held considerable influence.

Another individual of note was Guillaume Poissant, a French soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War. He was born in the early 15th century and served under the command of Joan of Arc, participating in several key battles against the English forces.

In the 17th century, the name "POISSANT" appeared in the records of the French colony of Acadia (present-day Maritime provinces of Canada). François Poissant was among the earliest settlers in the region, arriving in 1636. His descendants went on to establish families throughout Acadia and later in other parts of Canada and the United States.

The surname "POISSANT" has also been associated with various place names in France, such as Poissant-la-Ville and Poissant-le-Bourg, further reinforcing its geographic roots and potential occupational origins.

Throughout its history, the name "POISSANT" has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, soldiers, farmers, and artisans, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of those who bore this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Poissant

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

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

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

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