Asner
A surname of German origin meaning "ash tree".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Asner. That puts it at #138,304 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Asner 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
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#138,304
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
121
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 121 bearers of the surname Asner in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 138304th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Asner, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Asner
The surname ASNER originated in Germany, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "asno," meaning "black" or "dark," suggesting that the name may have been given to individuals with dark complexions or hair.
The ASNER name was prominent in various regions of Germany, particularly in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In the 14th century, records show an individual named Hans Asner residing in the town of Augsburg, which was a significant trade center during that time.
One of the earliest documented references to the ASNER surname can be found in the "Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae," a collection of historical documents from the German state of Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. This record mentions a nobleman named Konrad Asner, who held land and titles in the region.
During the 16th century, the ASNER name gained further recognition with the birth of Georg Asner (1501-1572), a German mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and is credited with developing methods for calculating the positions of planets and stars.
In the 17th century, Johann Christoph Asner (1637-1712) was a prominent German composer and organist. He served as the Kapellmeister (music director) at the court of the Prince-Bishop of Bamberg and composed numerous sacred works, including masses and motets.
Another notable figure with the ASNER surname was Friedrich Wilhelm Asner (1790-1864), a Prussian military officer and writer. He served in the Napoleonic Wars and later authored several books on military tactics and strategies, which were widely studied in military academies across Europe.
Throughout history, variations of the ASNER name have been recorded, such as Asnere, Asnere, and Asner. These variations often reflected regional dialects or orthographic preferences of the time. Additionally, some records indicate that the name may have been influenced by the German word "Aschen," meaning "ash," suggesting a possible connection to professions or locations associated with ash or cinders.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Asner
Among Census respondents with the surname Asner, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%.
The bar chart below shows how Asner 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 Asner surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Asner 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #138,304 | #138,304 | 0.0% |
| Count | 121 | 121 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Asner bearers went from 121 to 121 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #138,304 to #138,304.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Asner
FAQ
Asner surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Asner?
The surname Asner holds position #138,304 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Asner surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Asner, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%. 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.