Explore the Family Name Genest
The meaning of Genest
French: topographic name for someone who lived by a patch of broom, Old French genest(e) (from Late Latin planta genesta); or a habitational name from any of several places in various parts of France named with this word. Compare Genet. History: The progenitor of the majority of the American bearers of the surname Genest was Jacques Genest or Genet dit Labarre from Juigné-sur-Loire in the Anjou region of France, who was in Île d’Orléans, QC, by 1670. He married Catherine Doribeau in France. His descendants also bear a variant or an altered form of the surname, Genet, and also the former secondary surname Labarre. Some characteristic forenames: French Emile, Fernand, Florent, Laurent, Pierre, Armand, Laurette, Normand, Adelard, Benoit, Gaetan, Gilles.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Genest in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Genest increased in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Genest was ranked the 22,783rd most popular surname, while by 2010, it rose to the 22,592nd position, marking a subtle growth of 0.84%. Furthermore, the number of people carrying this surname also grew from 1,051 in 2000 to 1,137 in 2010, an increase of 8.18%. However, considering the proportion per 100,000 people, there was no change as the figure remained constant at 0.39.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #22,783 | #22,592 | 0.84% |
| Count | 1,051 | 1,137 | 8.18% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Genest
On the aspect of ethnicity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census reveals shifts in the ethnic identity linked with the surname Genest from 2000 to 2010. While individuals identifying as White overwhelmingly carried the surname, their percentage decreased slightly from 96.48% to 93.32%. Meanwhile, those identifying as Hispanic saw a rise from 1.33% to 1.93%. There was also an introduction of new ethnic identities associated with the surname; people identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and Black recorded 1.50% and 1.58% respectively in 2010 from a non-existent base in 2000. Those identifying with two or more races also increased from 0.86% to 1.67%. However, the surname lost its association with American Indian and Alaskan Native identity as their representation dropped from 0.67% to 0.00%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.48% | 93.32% | -3.28% |
| Hispanic | 1.33% | 1.93% | 45.11% |
| Two or More Races | 0.86% | 1.67% | 94.19% |
| Black | 0% | 1.58% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 1.5% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.67% | 0% | -100% |