Explore the Family Name De Ruyter
The meaning of De Ruyter
Flemish (also Deruyter) and Dutch: occupational name, with the definite article de ‘the’, from Middle Dutch ruter ‘horseman’, particularly for a warrior on horseback, a cavalryman, hence also a topographic or habitational name referring to a house bearing a sign showing such a person. The term ruter also meant ‘freebooter’ (see Rutter 3). This is also an Americanized form of the more common Dutch variant De Ruijter. Some characteristic forenames: Dutch Cornie, Dirk, Kees, Marinus.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name De Ruyter in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname De Ruyter has grown in popularity over a decade. In 2000, it ranked 30,383 in popularity and by 2010, it had risen to 29,309, marking a 3.53% increase. The number of people with this surname also rose from 726 in 2000 to 807 in 2010, an increase of 11.16%. Despite these changes, the proportion of people with the De Ruyter surname per 100,000 remained the same at 0.27.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #30,383 | #29,309 | 3.53% |
| Count | 726 | 807 | 11.16% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name De Ruyter
When examining the ethnic identity of those with the De Ruyter surname, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data, there was a noticeable shift between 2000 and 2010. Individuals identifying as White made up 96.14% of De Ruyters in 2000, but this decreased slightly to 94.18% by 2010. Conversely, the percentage of De Ruyters who identified as Hispanic increased from 1.38% to 3.22%, marking a significant change of 133.33%. Those identifying as two or more races also increased from 1.24% to 1.86%. However, the percentage of De Ruyters identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander dropped to zero, while those identifying as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native remained at zero throughout the decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.14% | 94.18% | -2.04% |
| Hispanic | 1.38% | 3.22% | 133.33% |
| Two or More Races | 1.24% | 1.86% | 50% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.96% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |