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

Bennert, 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 Bennert surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Bennert in America

Bennert is the 134929th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bennert surname appeared 115 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 Bennert.

The history of the last name Bennert

The surname Bennert has its origins in Germany, particularly within the regions of Bavaria and Rhineland. The name dates back to the medieval period, specifically around the 14th century. Bavarian and Rhineland areas were known for their strong agricultural and political backgrounds, which likely influenced the proliferation and stabilization of surnames during this time.

Etymologically, the surname Bennert is believed to be derived from the Germanic personal name Bernhard, which translates to "brave as a bear." The personal name itself is a compound of two elements: "bern," meaning bear, and "hard," meaning brave or hardy. The "-ert" suffix is a common diminutive or adjectival suffix used in the German language, modifying the name slightly over generations. Similar spellings documented over the centuries include Bennard and Benerd.

Historical references to the surname Bennert are sparse but notable. One of the earliest recorded instances is from a 14th-century tax register in Bavaria, where a Hans Bennert was noted in 1372. These tax registers were among the first forms of administrative record-keeping and provide keys to understanding population distribution and names during those times. Old records have also reflected variants such as Bernhert and Benedt, which are likely phonetical shifts rather than entirely new surnames.

An interesting historical mention is the appearance of Heinrich Bennert in a 15th-century census conducted by the Church in the Rhineland. Heinrich Bennert, born in 1435 and deceased in 1502, was a well-regarded local miller whose operation was significant enough to be mentioned, suggesting a family of some standing or influence.

During the Thirty Years’ War, a soldier named Claus Bennert was documented for his role in defending a Bavarian fortress in 1633. His acts, noted in military dispatches of that era, hint at the surname's presence in records beyond simple civil ones, extending to military history.

Moving forward to the 18th century, another notable individual was Johannes Bennert, a silversmith born in 1702 in Cologne. His works, primarily domestic silverware, were highly sought after, and by 1745, he had several apprentices and a thriving workshop. His pieces, often engraved with his hallmark, are still studied and prized in silver antiquity circles.

The line of Bennert continued into the 19th century with Wilhelm Bennert, a minor political figure in Prussia. Born in 1823, Wilhelm played a role in the 1848 revolutions, advocating for constitutional reforms and workers’ rights. Though not deeply influential on a national scale, his writings and local engagements provided a voice for the working class of his time.

Another figure of note is Josephine Bennert, a Swiss-born botanist recognized in the latter half of the 19th century. Born in 1858 and passing in 1903, Josephine contributed significantly to the study of Alpine flora, often publishing under her maiden name but remaining privately recorded as part of the Bennert lineage through marriage.

The surname Bennert has historically seen various spellings and slight shifts in its phonetic presentation, but the lineage and historical footprint it has left, particularly within German-speaking regions, showcase a family or group with significant contributions in various fields from agriculture and military to artisanal crafts and sciences.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bennert

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!