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

Amiker, 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 Amiker surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Amiker in America

Amiker is the 134037th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Amiker surname appeared 116 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 Amiker.

The history of the last name Amiker

The surname Amiker has roots that are somewhat elusive but can be traced back to European origins, specifically within regions of Germany. It is thought that the name possibly derived from the German word "Ammer," an old term that referred to a specific occupational role or a geographical location close to rivers, particularly where waterfowl — such as the "Ammer" or bunting bird — were prevalent. Another plausible origin may be from the word "Amme," meaning a wet nurse or caretaker, suggestive of a caring profession.

The earliest documented instances of variations of the name appear in medieval records. Manuscripts and local archives from the Holy Roman Empire, specifically from the regions surrounding modern-day Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, present spellings such as Ameker, Amicher, and Ammiker. Instances from the 13th century reveal the existence of these names, reflecting both occupational and locational elements within their etymologies.

The 14th-century church records from Bavarian parishes often listed families using derivations of the surname, woven into the fabric of local history as they occupied various roles within the communities. Particularly, one finds references to Heinrich Ameker (born circa 1285, died 1350), a documented lay brother known for his ecclesiastical contributions and farming expertise near the Danube River.

Fast forward to the 16th century, the name appears in the tax registries and land deeds of the Holy Roman Empire. A notable figure from this era is Magdalena Ammiker (1513-1580), chronicled in the town of Ulm's archives as a midwife who played an essential part in the local healthcare of her time. Her skills and dedication are partly responsible for the midwifery practices that evolved in the region.

As Europe transitioned into the modern age, migrations during the 17th and 18th centuries due to wars, plagues, and the search for better opportunities scattered the bearers of the Amiker surname. Records from the Palatinate in Germany show Jakob Ammiker (1672-1748), an individual who immigrated to America in the early 18th century, landing in Pennsylvania and establishing a modest farming community.

The Amiker surname, while less common in comparison to other names, had its distinct presence during America's early colonial period. An example includes Johannes Amiker (1735-1803), an early settler involved in the agricultural expansion of North Carolina. His contributions to the early formation of rural communities helped further cement the name in American history.

The surname Amiker, having traversed centuries and oceans, remains a modest but integral part of the tapestry of European and American genealogy. Its bearers, involved in various facets of historical development, from ecclesiastical roles in medieval Germany to pioneering agricultural settlements in America, illustrate the enduring legacy carried by this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Amiker

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

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

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

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