Explore the Family Name Russett
The meaning of Russett
1. English (Gloucestershire): nickname from Middle English russet ‘reddish brown’ (from Old French rosset, a diminutive of rous(e) ‘red’, from Latin russus ‘red’). This may have been a nickname for someone with reddish brown hair or a ruddy complexion but in Middle English russet also denoted a kind of reddish brown coarse woolen cloth typically worn by the poor, and thus the name might have been a nickname for someone who made or sold such cloth. 2. Altered form of French Rasset 1, reflecting the Canadian and American French practice of sounding the final -t. Compare Racette. History: Some of the American bearers of the surname Russett are descendants of Jean Rasset from France (see Racette).
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Russett in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Russett has seen a slight decline in popularity over the last decade. In 2000, it was ranked 47,026th most popular in the United States; however, by 2010 it had dropped to be the 51,830th most common name, a decrease of 10.22%. The total count of individuals bearing the Russett surname also dipped from 425 in 2000 to 401 in 2010, representing a 5.65% decrease. Consequently, the proportion of individuals named Russett per 100,000 people fell by 12.5%, from 0.16 in 2000 to 0.14 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #47,026 | #51,830 | -10.22% |
| Count | 425 | 401 | -5.65% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.16 | 0.14 | -12.5% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Russett
In terms of ethnic identity, based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the majority of individuals with the Russett surname identify as White, although this percentage dropped slightly from 96% in 2000 to 95.26% in 2010. Over the same period, there were notable increases in the proportions identifying as Hispanic and Black. Specifically, the Hispanic representation increased by 35.76% (from 1.65% to 2.24%), while the proportion of Black individuals rose by 48.31% (from 1.18% to 1.75%). There were no individuals who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either 2000 or 2010, and no individuals reported being of two or more races in 2000, with the 2010 data for this group suppressed for privacy.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96% | 95.26% | -0.77% |
| Hispanic | 1.65% | 2.24% | 35.76% |
| Black | 1.18% | 1.75% | 48.31% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |