Explore the Family Name Ouellet
The meaning of Ouellet
French: probably a variant of Houellet, a derivative of Old French hoel ‘mattock’, applied as a nickname for a maker or a worker who used this implement. The surname Houellet is no longer found in France, and the surname Ouellet is virtually non-existing there. Compare Ouelette, Ouellette, Ouillette, Willet, and Willette.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Ouellet in the United States?
The surname Ouellet saw a significant rise in popularity between the years 2000 and 2010, according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, it was ranked 31,884th most popular in the United States but jumped to 27,110th by 2010 — an increase of nearly 15 percent. The count of individuals with this surname also grew during this decade, surging from 684 in 2000 to 893 in 2010, which equates to a rise of over 30 percent. When expressed as a proportion per 100,000 people, the growth is apparent as well, rising from 0.25 to 0.3.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #31,884 | #27,110 | 14.97% |
| Count | 684 | 893 | 30.56% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.25 | 0.3 | 20% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Ouellet
Turning to the ethnic identity associated with the Ouellet surname, the Decennial U.S. Census data showed that the majority of individuals with this surname identified as White — 96.64 percent in 2000 and 96.86 percent in 2010. However, there was a noticeable increase in those identifying as Hispanic, from 1.61 percent in 2000 to 2.02 percent in 2010. Individuals identifying with two or more races decreased from 1.02 percent to 0.56 percent during the same period. There were no recorded instances of individuals with this surname identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either 2000 or 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.64% | 96.86% | 0.23% |
| Hispanic | 1.61% | 2.02% | 25.47% |
| Two or More Races | 1.02% | 0.56% | -45.1% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |