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

Secret, 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 Secret surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Secret in America

Secret is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Secret surname appeared 112 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 Secret.

We can also compare 2010 data for Secret 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 Secret

The surname Secret originated in France during the medieval period, derived from the Old French word "secret," which meant "private" or "hidden." It was likely an occupational name given to individuals who worked as confidential advisors, scribes, or messengers, entrusted with sensitive information.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Secret surname can be found in the Rolls of Arms, a 13th-century manuscript containing heraldic records. This document mentions a knight named Gautier Secret, who hailed from the region of Normandy.

In the 14th century, the Secret family established a presence in the town of Champlitte, located in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. Records from this era include mentions of Jean Secret, a respected merchant, and Pierre Secret, a local landowner.

During the Renaissance period, the Secret surname gained prominence in the city of Lyon, where a notable family of silk merchants and bankers resided. Jean-Baptiste Secret (1522-1589) was a prominent financier who served as a financial advisor to the French royal court.

In the 17th century, the Secret family expanded their influence to the French colonies in the Caribbean. Jacques Secret (1635-1701), a planter from Martinique, was one of the wealthiest landowners on the island and played a significant role in the development of the island's sugar industry.

Another notable figure bearing the Secret surname was Marie-Jeanne Secret (1754-1832), a French revolutionary and feminist activist. She was a vocal advocate for women's rights and participated in the storming of the Tuileries Palace during the French Revolution.

Throughout history, the Secret surname has been associated with various professions and backgrounds, from scholars and artists to military officers and politicians. Some examples include Émile Secret (1839-1907), a French painter known for his landscapes and portraits, and Marcel Secret (1892-1968), a French writer and journalist who covered the Spanish Civil War.

While the Secret surname has its roots in France, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through emigration and cultural exchange. However, the name's origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the French language and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Secret

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

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

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

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