Explore the Family Name Ratte
The meaning of Ratte
1. French (also Ratté): nickname from rate ‘she-rat’ or derived from rat ‘rat’. Compare Rathe, Ratta, and Rattay. 2. In some cases possibly also French: habitational name from a place called Ratte, e.g. in Saône-et-Loire. 3. German: from Middle German ratte ‘rat’, hence a nickname from the animal, perhaps for a sly and agile individual. 4. German: from a short form of any of various ancient Germanic compound personal names formed with rād, rāt ‘counsel, advice’ as the first element. 5. Dutch (Ratté): possibly a nickname from Middle Dutch ratte ‘rat’. History: Jacques Ratté from France was in QC by 1658, when he married Anne-Marie Martin. He died in 1699 in Saint-Pierre-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, QC. His descendants also bear altered forms of the surname, such as Rathé, Rathe, Ratta, Rattay, and Ratay. Some characteristic forenames: French Armand, Chantal, Fernand, Gilles, Jean-Marc, Lucien, Marcel, Rosaire.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Ratte in the United States?
Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Ratte saw a decrease in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, Ratte was ranked 50,055 in terms of popularity among surnames, but by 2010, it had dropped to 60,045, representing a nearly 20% decline. The count of individuals bearing this surname also decreased from 393 in 2000 to 336 in 2010, signifying a dip of approximately 14.5%. Consequently, its proportion per 100,000 people declined by about 26.67%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #50,055 | #60,045 | -19.96% |
| Count | 393 | 336 | -14.5% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.15 | 0.11 | -26.67% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Ratte
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Ratte has also seen some changes between 2000 and 2010 according to the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, almost 97.46% of individuals with this surname identified as White, but this figure had decreased to 93.75% by 2010. While the percentage of those self-identifying as Hispanic, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native remained at zero, there were increases noted for Asian/Pacific Islander and individuals identifying as two or more races. From no representation in 2000, these groups rose to 1.79% and 2.68% respectively in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.46% | 93.75% | -3.81% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 2.68% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 1.79% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |