Find out how popular the last name Aa is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Aa.

Aa, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Aa surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Aa in America

Aa is the 127186th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Aa surname appeared 124 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Aa.

The history of the last name Aa

The surname AA originates from the Netherlands and its history dates back to the Middle Ages. The name is predominantly found in the northern and western regions of the Netherlands, especially in the provinces of Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe. The name AA is derived from the Old Dutch word "Aa," an archaic term meaning "water" or "small river." This etymology suggests that the name was initially given to people residing near bodies of water.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname AA can be traced back to the 13th century in manuscript records from Friesland. In these early records, variations of the name, such as "van der Aa" meaning "from the water" or "from the river" can also be observed. For instance, a record from 1283 mentions a Willem van der Aa, a notable landowner in the region.

Among the notable figures bearing the surname AA is Petrus van der Aa (1530–1594), a prominent Dutch cartographer and publisher known for his detailed maps of Europe. Another significant historical figure was Gerard van der Aa (1650–1725), a notable Dutch poet and historian whose works contributed greatly to the literary culture of the Dutch Golden Age.

Later, the name also appeared in military and political records. Johan van der Aa (1792–1878) served as an officer in the Napoleonic Wars and later held a significant position in the Dutch government during the early 19th century. Furthermore, the name traveled outside the Netherlands through the centuries, spreading across Europe and appearing in various historical documents in Germany, France, and Belgium.

In the realm of science, Cornelius van der Aa (1901–1965), a well-regarded physicist, made significant contributions to the understanding of quantum mechanics in the 20th century. His research and publications were widely acknowledged in academic circles.

The surname AA can also be found in old place names in the Netherlands, such as the village of Aadorp in the province of Overijssel. Although relatively rare, the name AA stands as a testament to geographic and historical ties to water in the Dutch landscape. Throughout the centuries, it has been borne by individuals who have made notable contributions to various fields, reflecting a rich and enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Aa

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Aa.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Aa was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Aa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Aa, please contact us.

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