Find out how popular the last name Bańzer is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bańzer.
A surname derived from the German word "banzer," meaning a bandy-legged person.
Bańzer, 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 Bańzer surname is from the 2000 census data.
Bańzer is the 128797th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Bańzer surname appeared 122 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 Bańzer.
The surname Banzer has its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, specifically within what is now modern-day Germany and Switzerland. The name first emerged during the medieval period, approximately around the 12th or 13th centuries. It is believed to have roots in the southern regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria (Bayern), and possibly spread into Switzerland over time.
The etymology of Banzer likely stems from a local descriptor or a medieval occupational term. While the exact root words are not definitively established, it could be related to the Middle High German term "banse," which refers to a field or a piece of cultivated land. This suggests that the name may have originally been associated with individuals who worked on or owned an area of farmland.
Historical records from the late Middle Ages show some of the earliest mentions of the surname Banzer. One of the earliest known references can be traced back to a 1397 document from the Bavarian town of Augsburg. This document records a Hans Banzer as a resident of the town, suggesting that the family was already established in the region by this time.
In the early 16th century, the name appears in several local registers. For instance, a probate record from 1523 in the Swiss canton of Aargau lists a Peter Banzer as an inhabitant of the town of Brugg. This cross-regional prevalence highlights the name's expansion from its point of origin.
Moving to the more modern historical era, one of the most prominent bearers of the surname was Hugo Banzer Suárez, born in 1926 and passed away in 2002. He served as the President of Bolivia and brought significant political influence, marking a notable international presence of the surname.
Another figure of historical interest is Johann Banzer, a lesser-known but documented craftsman listed in the records of the Swabian guilds around 1620. His workshop was renowned for producing high-quality woodworking, indicating the family's involvement in skilled trades.
In the 18th century, records from the German Rhineland include a Friedrich Banzer, a local merchant who played a significant role in regional commerce. Born in 1735 and died in 1791, Friedrich Banzer’s business dealings are recorded in several mercantile registries of the time.
Back in the Swiss context, a notable figure was Elisabeth Banzer, who lived during the 17th century and is recorded in various local almanacs. Born in 1642 and died in 1699, she was known for her philanthropic activities in the canton of Zurich, specifically in supporting orphanages and schools.
The Banzer name also appeared in the 19th-century immigration records, particularly those departing from Hamburg towards America. One such record is of Matthias Banzer, who emigrated in 1873, seeking new opportunities in the United States amidst the wave of European migration.
Thus, the surname Banzer has a rich history tied to the German-speaking regions of Europe, emerging from agricultural or local occupational roots and spreading through various regions over centuries. It has been borne by individuals of note in both historical records and local lore, contributing to a diverse legacy spanning continents.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bańzer.
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:
For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bańzer was:
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
---|---|---|
Non-Hispanic White Only | 83.61% | 102 |
Non-Hispanic Black Only | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0 |
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | (S)% | (S) |
Hispanic Origin | 12.30% | 15 |
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.
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 Bańzer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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<a href="http://namecensus.com/last-names/banzer-surname-popularity/">Bańzer last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
"Bańzer last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/banzer-surname-popularity/.
"Bańzer last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/banzer-surname-popularity/. Accessed 2 August, 2025
Bańzer last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/banzer-surname-popularity/.
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