Aanestad
Norwegian habitational surname derived from a farm name meaning "Anne's place" or "Anne's homestead."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Aanestad. That puts it at #111,426 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Aanestad surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#111,426
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
158
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 158 bearers of the surname Aanestad in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 111426th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Aanestad, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Aanestad
The surname Aanestad originates from Norway, with its roots traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from a combination of the Old Norse words "ån" meaning "river" and "stad" meaning "place" or "settlement." The name likely referred to a settlement or farm located near a river or stream.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in Norwegian church records from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. These records often include variations in spelling, such as Aanestadh, Aanestadd, and Aanestaden, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time.
One notable figure bearing the Aanestad surname was Hans Aanestad, a farmer and landowner from the Telemark region of Norway in the mid-18th century. His name appears in property records and local historical accounts from the period.
In the 19th century, the name Aanestad gained prominence through the accomplishments of Nils Aanestad, a Norwegian engineer and inventor born in 1842. Nils is credited with developing several innovative agricultural tools and machinery that revolutionized farming practices in Norway.
Another significant individual with this surname was Ingrid Aanestad, a Norwegian educator and women's rights activist born in 1868. She played a pivotal role in establishing several schools for girls and advocating for equal educational opportunities in Norway.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the Aanestad family produced a notable figure in the field of literature, Olav Aanestad (1879-1962). He was a celebrated poet and novelist, renowned for his vivid depictions of rural Norwegian life and the struggles of the working class.
As the 20th century dawned, the Aanestad name continued to leave its mark in various fields. One such individual was Knut Aanestad (1908-1989), a renowned architect who designed several iconic buildings and public spaces in Oslo and other Norwegian cities.
While the Aanestad surname has its roots firmly planted in Norway, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and migration. However, its historical origins and connections to the Norwegian landscape and culture remain a defining aspect of this distinctive surname.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Aanestad
Among Census respondents with the surname Aanestad, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Aanestad bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Aanestad surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.8%
- Hispanic or Latino3.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Aanestad surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #103,706 | #111,426 | -7.4% |
| Count | 160 | 158 | -1.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.05 | -16.7% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Aanestad bearers went from 160 to 158 (-1.3% change). The surname moved down 7,720 positions in the national ranking, going from #103,706 to #111,426.
FAQ
Aanestad surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Aanestad?
The surname Aanestad holds position #111,426 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Aanestad surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Aanestad, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.