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

Torrence, 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 Torrence surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Torrence in America

Torrence is the 5425th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Torrence surname appeared 6,419 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 Torrence.

We can also compare 2010 data for Torrence 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 Torrence

The surname Torrence finds its origins in Scotland, where it emerged as a locational name derived from the Scottish place name Torrance, located in the region of Stirlingshire. The name is believed to have originated from the Gaelic term "torr," meaning a hill or a conical peak, and "innis," referring to a meadow or a river valley.

The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 12th century, with references found in ancient Scottish charters and land grants. One notable mention is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where a certain John de Torance swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.

In the 14th century, the name Torrence appeared in various forms, including Torrance, Torrans, and Torrens, reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. The Torrence family played a significant role in the region's history, with several members holding prominent positions in the local community.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Sir Robert Torrence, a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. He was granted lands in Stirlingshire for his loyalty and bravery.

In the 16th century, the Torrence family established themselves as influential landowners and merchants in the Scottish Lowlands. James Torrence (1512-1585), a prosperous merchant and landowner, was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributions to the local church and community.

During the 17th century, the Torrence family expanded their influence, with several members serving in the Scottish military and local government. Captain William Torrence (1625-1692) was a renowned soldier who fought in the English Civil War and later served as a magistrate in Stirlingshire.

As the Scots migrated to other parts of the British Empire and beyond, the Torrence surname spread across the globe. In the 18th century, John Torrence (1745-1819), a Scottish emigrant, settled in Virginia and became a prominent plantation owner and politician, serving in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Throughout history, the Torrence surname has been associated with various notable individuals, including the Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Torrence (1785-1848), the American Civil War general John Torrence (1824-1897), and the Canadian politician and businessman George Torrence (1865-1945).

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Torrence

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

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

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

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