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

Sonnier, 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 Sonnier surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sonnier in America

Sonnier is the 5715th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sonnier surname appeared 6,068 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Sonnier.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sonnier 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 Sonnier

The surname SONNIER is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "sonier," which means "bell-ringer" or "sexton." It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of France during the Middle Ages.

The earliest known record of the SONNIER surname dates back to the 13th century, where it appeared in various medieval records and documents from the regions of Normandy and Brittany. It is possible that the name was initially associated with individuals who worked as bell-ringers or caretakers in local churches or monasteries.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the SONNIER surname gained prominence in several villages and towns across northern France, particularly in the areas around Rouen, Dieppe, and Caen. Some variations in spelling, such as "Sonnier," "Sonnyer," and "Sonier," were also recorded during this time.

One notable historical reference to the SONNIER name can be found in the "Livre des Métiers" (Book of Trades), a 13th-century manuscript that documented various professions and trades in Paris. This suggests that the SONNIER surname may have been associated with the bell-ringing trade in the city during that period.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the SONNIER surname. One of the earliest recorded instances is Jean SONNIER, a French architect born in 1532 in Rouen, who was known for his work on several churches and cathedrals in the region.

Another prominent figure was Pierre SONNIER (1672-1741), a French explorer and trader who played a significant role in the early colonization efforts of Louisiana. He was among the first settlers in the region and is credited with establishing trade routes and alliances with Native American tribes.

In the 19th century, Louis SONNIER (1824-1892) was a prominent French writer and poet from Paris. His works, which often explored themes of love and nature, earned him recognition and acclaim during his lifetime.

The SONNIER surname also spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. For example, Alexandre SONNIER (1838-1912) was a French-Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Quebec Legislative Assembly in the late 19th century.

Finally, one of the most well-known individuals with the SONNIER surname was Henri SONNIER (1901-1978), a French artist and sculptor from Bordeaux. His abstract and avant-garde works were widely celebrated and exhibited in galleries throughout Europe and North America.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sonnier

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

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

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

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