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

Therriault, 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 Therriault surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Therriault in America

Therriault is the 26534th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Therriault surname appeared 919 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 Therriault.

We can also compare 2010 data for Therriault 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 Therriault

The surname Therriault has its origins in France, specifically in the region of Normandy, where it emerged during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "therrier," which referred to a person who lived in an earthen dwelling or burrow. This name likely began as a descriptive nickname for someone who inhabited a modest abode constructed from the soil.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Therriault can be found in the "Cartulaire de Louviers," a medieval document from the 13th century, which mentions a "Robertus Therriault" residing in the town of Louviers, Normandy. This suggests that the name had already gained recognition in the region by that time.

During the 16th century, the name Therriault appeared in several historical records, including the "Registres Paroissiaux" of Normandy. These parish registers document the births, marriages, and deaths of individuals bearing the surname, providing insight into the families who carried it.

In the 17th century, a notable figure named Jean-Baptiste Therriault (1628-1699) was born in the village of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Normandy. He later became a respected merchant and landowner, contributing to the prosperity of the region.

As the French colonized parts of North America, some individuals with the surname Therriault migrated to the continent, particularly to the province of Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia and neighboring regions). One of the earliest recorded Therriaults in Acadia was Pierre Therriault (1670-1745), who settled in Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia, and established a family line.

Another prominent figure was Mathurin Therriault (1720-1793), a farmer and militia captain from Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia. His descendants played a significant role in the development of Acadian communities in the Maritimes region.

In the late 18th century, a branch of the Therriault family settled in Louisiana, where they became part of the Acadian diaspora known as the Cajuns. Joseph Therriault (1756-1823) was among the first to establish roots in the region, contributing to the cultural heritage of the Cajun people.

Throughout its history, the surname Therriault has maintained a strong presence in various regions, particularly in parts of France, Canada, and the United States. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval Normandy, it has since spread and taken root in diverse communities, reflecting the migration patterns and resilience of those who carried this distinctive surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Therriault

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

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

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

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