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

Ruest, 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 Ruest surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ruest in America

Ruest is the 52736th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ruest surname appeared 393 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 Ruest.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ruest 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 Ruest

The surname RUEST has its origins in France, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "rüe," meaning "street" or "lane." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived on a particular street or near a prominent road.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name RUEST can be found in the historical records of Normandy, France, dating back to the 12th century. It appears that a certain Geoffroy Ruest was mentioned in a document from 1186, indicating the presence of the name in the region during that time.

In the 13th century, records show the name RUEST appearing in various parts of northern France, including Picardy and Île-de-France. This widespread distribution suggests that the name had gained popularity and spread across different regions.

During the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name RUEST was Jacques Ruest, a merchant from Paris who played a role in the city's trade guilds. His legacy is documented in historical records from the era, shedding light on the name's significance in urban centers.

The name RUEST also found its way into various place names across France, such as Ruest-en-Brie and Rüe-sur-Loire. These toponyms provide insights into the geographical locations where the name was prevalent and contribute to understanding its evolution.

In the 16th century, a prominent individual named Pierre RUEST (1521-1589) gained recognition as a scholar and theologian. He authored several works on religious studies and was influential in the intellectual circles of his time.

Another notable figure was Jean-Baptiste RUEST (1685-1746), a French artist renowned for his landscapes and portraiture. His works can be found in various art collections and museums across Europe, showcasing the artistic talent associated with the RUEST name.

The 18th century saw the rise of François RUEST (1737-1809), a French military officer who served during the French Revolutionary Wars. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield earned him recognition and honors from the French government.

In the 19th century, Marie RUEST (1823-1896) gained prominence as a philanthropist and advocate for social reforms. Her efforts in improving the living conditions of the underprivileged and promoting education left a lasting impact on French society.

As the name RUEST spread beyond France, it also gained a foothold in other parts of Europe and the Americas through migration and exploration. Guillaume RUEST (1795-1863), for instance, was a French explorer who ventured into the Canadian wilderness, contributing to the mapping and understanding of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ruest

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!