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

Rouleau, 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 Rouleau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rouleau in America

Rouleau is the 12339th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rouleau surname appeared 2,520 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 Rouleau.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rouleau 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 Rouleau

The surname Rouleau originates from the French language and dates back to medieval times in France. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "rouleau," meaning a small roll or scroll. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who worked with rolls or scrolls, possibly a scribe or a clerk.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Rouleau can be found in the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Père de Chartres, a cartulary from the 12th century. This medieval manuscript contains references to individuals with the surname Rouleau, indicating that the name was already in use during that period.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Jean Rouleau was mentioned in the records of the city of Rouen, Normandy. He was a merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

During the 16th century, the Rouleau family established themselves in the region of Anjou, in western France. One of the most prominent members of this family was Jacques Rouleau (1520-1589), a renowned jurist and legal scholar who served as a judge in the Parlement of Paris.

In the 17th century, the Rouleau name appears in various historical records from different parts of France, indicating its widespread distribution. One notable individual was Louis Rouleau (1637-1710), a French sculptor and architect who contributed to the construction of several churches and public buildings in Paris.

Another noteworthy figure was Marie-Anne Rouleau (1726-1798), a French novelist and playwright who gained recognition for her works during the Age of Enlightenment. Her novels explored themes of love, societal norms, and the role of women in society.

The surname Rouleau also made its way to other parts of Europe, including Belgium and Switzerland. In the 19th century, a prominent Swiss politician and lawyer named Charles Rouleau (1816-1892) played a significant role in the drafting of the Swiss Civil Code.

Throughout its history, the surname Rouleau has been associated with various professions, including scribes, merchants, jurists, artists, and politicians. While its origins can be traced back to medieval France, the name has since spread across different regions and countries, reflecting the mobility and migration patterns of individuals bearing this surname over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rouleau

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

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

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

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