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

Salet, 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 Salet surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Salet in America

Salet is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Salet surname appeared 100 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Salet.

The history of the last name Salet

The surname Salet has its origins rooted in the medieval regions of France, primarily in the northern parts of the country. The earliest attestations of the name can be traced back to the 12th century, a period characterized by the consolidation of feudal states and the consequent documentation of families and individuals for administrative purposes.

The name Salet is believed to have derived from the Old French word "salet," meaning "helmet." This etymology suggests that the name could have been originally used either as an occupational term for a maker of helmets or as a nickname for someone known for wearing a distinctive helmet. It is also possible that the word is related to "salé," meaning "salty," which could imply a connection to the salt trade or coastal regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in the 1198 records of the Abbey of Saint Denis, where a certain Hugo Salet was noted as a landholder and benefactor of the church. This early mention highlights the name's presence in medieval France and its association with notable families involved in both ecclesiastic and feudal matters.

During the 14th century, a figure known as Guillaume Salet rose to prominence as a knight in the service of the Duchy of Burgundy. He is distinguished in several chronicles for his participation in the Hundred Years' War, particularly noted for a battle in 1364 where he led a successful defense of the fortified town of Lons-le-Saunier.

The 16th century records from the Loire Valley mention Jeanne Salet, a nun in the Abbey of Fontevraud, born in 1510 and passing in 1577. She was known for her pious life and contributions to the abbey's extensive library, including several manuscripts attributed to her meticulous copying.

In the 17th century, the name appears again in the records of the Huguenots, where Jean-Baptiste Salet, born in 1635 and dying in 1702, is documented as a merchant who fled religious persecution in France and settled in Geneva, Switzerland. His family continued to be prominent merchants and contributed significantly to the economic development of the region.

The 18th century witnessed the name’s emergence in academic fields with Antoine Salet, a mathematician born in 1722 and deceased in 1791. He was known for his work in geometrical theorems and his contributions to the academic community in Paris. His published works remain a part of historical mathematical literature.

By the 19th century, the Salet name had spread beyond France due to European migration waves. Noteworthy among them was Henriette Salet, born in 1834 and who died in 1909, a famous artist based in Belgium. She was recognized for her impressionist paintings, which have since been preserved in several European art museums.

Throughout history, the surname Salet has demonstrated a rich and varied lineage, tied to both common occupations and significant historical figures, reflecting a tapestry of contributions across various fields including warfare, religion, commerce, academia, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Salet

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Salet 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.

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

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

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