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

Achten, 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 Achten surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Achten in America

Achten is the 82317th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Achten surname appeared 229 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Achten.

We can also compare 2010 data for Achten to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Achten

The surname ACHTEN is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old German word "acht," which means "respected" or "esteemed." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who held a position of respect or authority within their community.

The earliest known record of the name ACHTEN can be found in the town of Aachen, located in western Germany, near the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands. This region was once a part of the Holy Roman Empire, and it is likely that the name emerged during this time period as a way to identify individuals of importance or standing.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name ACHTEN appears in the Codex Diplomaticus Anhaltinus, a collection of historical documents from the Principality of Anhalt, which dates back to the 13th century. This record mentions an individual named Henricus Achten, who was a landowner and nobleman in the region.

In the 14th century, the name ACHTEN can be found in various records throughout Germany, particularly in areas such as Bavaria and Saxony. One notable figure from this time was Johannes Achten, a prominent theologian and scholar who lived from 1320 to 1387. He was known for his contributions to the study of canon law and served as a professor at the University of Prague.

Another historical figure with the surname ACHTEN was Peter Achten, a German painter and engraver who lived from 1510 to 1580. He was renowned for his religious artwork and was commissioned by various churches and nobility throughout Germany and the Netherlands.

In the 17th century, the name ACHTEN gained prominence in the Netherlands, where it was often associated with skilled craftsmen and tradesmen. One such individual was Cornelis Achten, a master woodcarver who lived from 1620 to 1685. His intricate woodcarvings can still be found adorning churches and buildings throughout the Netherlands.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name ACHTEN spread to other parts of Europe, including France and Belgium. One notable figure from this time was Jean-Baptiste Achten, a Belgian painter and sculptor who lived from 1766 to 1838. He was known for his neoclassical works and was commissioned by the royal court of the Netherlands.

As the name ACHTEN continued to spread throughout Europe, it also found its way to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, often through immigration and migration patterns. While the origins of the name can be traced back to Germany and the Old German language, it has since become a surname found in various cultures and countries around the globe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Achten

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Achten 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Achten has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Achten was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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