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

Belsheim, 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 Belsheim surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Belsheim in America

Belsheim is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Belsheim surname appeared 100 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 Belsheim.

The history of the last name Belsheim

The surname Belsheim originates from Norway, specifically from the region of Viken. The name is most commonly associated with the town of Belsheim, situated in the eastern part of Norway. Belsheim is a toponymic surname, derived from the Old Norse elements "bel," which might refer to a short form of the name Belt, and "heim," meaning home or settlement. Together, these elements indicate a person who comes from the homestead or settlement of Belt’s descendants.

The earliest recorded references to the surname Belsheim date back to the medieval period when surnames began to be used more systematically in Norway. Though no specific manuscripts directly mention the surname, land records and tax rolls from the 14th and 15th centuries hint at familial names being adopted as settlements grew. The transition from patronymics to family names in Norway saw Belsheim being established firmly as a surname by the late Middle Ages.

One of the earliest known instances of the surname Belsheim is that of Erik Belsheim, noted in a 1483 land grant record. Erik was a landowner in the Viken region whose holdings included a significant amount of agricultural land. His prominence in the local records denotes a family of some standing in the community.

Moving forward in history, another notable figure is Lars Belsheim, born in 1624 and who passed away in 1698. Lars was a respected leader in his local parish in Viken, where he served not only as a farmer but also held a position within the local council. His contributions to the community came at a time when Norway was under Danish rule, adding layers of complexity to local governance.

In the 18th century, Hans Nilsen Belsheim (1729-1797) made his mark as a merchant and trader. Hans lived through a period of economic growth in Norway and took advantage of the increase in trade routes that connected the Viken region to larger markets, contributing to the prosperity of his hometown.

By the early 19th century, the surname Belsheim had become associated with Ole Belsheim, born in 1801 and deceased in 1873. Ole was a notable figure in the Norwegian religious movement known as the Haugean movement. His efforts in spreading the teachings of Hans Nielsen Hauge reflect a period of religious awakening and reform in rural Norwegian communities.

Another significant individual with the surname Belsheim was Ingeborg Belsheim, born in 1856 and deceased in 1902. Ingeborg was recognized as an early advocate for women's education in Norway. Her work in promoting literacy and learning among women in her community highlights the progressive shifts occurring in Norwegian society towards the end of the 19th century.

From its origins in the medieval period to the notable figures who bore this surname in subsequent centuries, the name Belsheim carries with it a deep connection to the lands and culture of eastern Norway. The historical account of individuals such as Erik Belsheim, Lars Belsheim, Hans Nilsen Belsheim, Ole Belsheim, and Ingeborg Belsheim demonstrates the diverse contributions of this family to Norwegian history and society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Belsheim

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

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

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

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