Villard
A locational surname derived from a place name in France.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 823 Americans carry the last name Villard. That puts it at #31,994 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.24 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 416,469 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Villard surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
823
1 in 416,469
Census rank
#31,994
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
721
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 721 bearers of the surname Villard in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 31994th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Villard, the largest self-reported group is White at 55.8%. The next largest groups are Black (33.1%) and Hispanic (5.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Villard
The surname Villard originated in France, with its roots dating back to medieval times. It is derived from the Old French word "ville," meaning "town" or "village," combined with the suffix "-ard," often used to denote a person's occupation or place of origin.
The name was initially borne by individuals who lived in or were associated with a particular town or village. This could have been due to their place of birth, residency, or profession. Variations in spelling, such as Villart and Villarts, existed during the early stages of its usage.
One of the earliest known references to the name Villard can be found in the Cartulary of the Abbey of Saint-Victor in Marseille, dated around the 11th century. This medieval manuscript mentions individuals bearing the surname, indicating their presence in the region at that time.
In the 13th century, a notable figure named Jacques Villard (c. 1220-1292) gained recognition as a prominent architect and sculptor. He is best known for his contributions to the construction of the Cathédrale Saint-Trophime in Arles, France.
During the 14th century, the name appeared in various historical records across different regions of France. For instance, Guillaume Villard (c. 1320-1390) was a respected lawyer and legal advisor to the French monarchy.
The 15th century saw the emergence of another notable Villard, Jean Villard (c. 1440-1508), a renowned French humanist and scholar. He was known for his translations of ancient Greek texts and his work in promoting classical literature during the Renaissance period.
In the 16th century, the name was associated with the Villard family, a prominent noble clan from the region of Normandy. One of their notable members, René Villard (1532-1610), served as a military commander and played a significant role in the French Wars of Religion.
Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, Henri Villard (1835-1900) gained fame as a financier and railroad tycoon. Born in Germany, he later emigrated to the United States and became involved in the development of the Northern Pacific Railroad.
Throughout its history, the surname Villard has been linked to various place names and localities across France, such as Villard-de-Lans, Villard-sur-Doron, and Villard-Bonnot, among others. These place names often incorporated the word "Villard," reflecting the surname's origins and the potential connection between individuals and specific towns or villages.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Villard
Among Census respondents with the surname Villard, the largest self-reported group is White at 55.8%. The next largest groups are Black (33.1%) and Hispanic (5.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Villard bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Villard surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White55.8%
- Black or African American33.1%
- Hispanic or Latino5.4%
- Two or more races4.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Villard surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #31,994 | #31,994 | 0.0% |
| Count | 721 | 721 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Villard bearers went from 721 to 721 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #31,994 to #31,994.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Villard
FAQ
Villard surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Villard?
The surname Villard holds position #31,994 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 823 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Villard surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Villard, the largest self-reported group is White at 55.8%. The next largest groups are Black (33.1%) and Hispanic (5.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.