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

Berben, 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 Berben surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Berben in America

Berben is the 151532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Berben surname appeared 108 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Berben.

We can also compare 2010 data for Berben to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Berben

The surname Berben is of German origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Rhineland, specifically the areas around the city of Cologne. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "berben," which means "to stain" or "to dye," suggesting that the original bearers of this surname were involved in the textile industry or worked as dyers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Berben surname can be found in a document from the year 1295, which mentions a certain "Johannes Berben" as a resident of Cologne. This document serves as a valuable historical reference, indicating that the name had already established itself in the region by the late 13th century.

In the 15th century, a notable figure bearing the Berben surname was Heinrich Berben, a respected merchant and guild member who lived in Cologne between 1420 and 1488. His name appears in various trade records and guild registers of the time, providing insight into the commercial activities and social standing of the Berben family during that period.

The Berben surname also has connections to various place names in Germany. For instance, the village of Berben, located in the district of Ahrweiler in Rhineland-Palatinate, is believed to have derived its name from the Berben family, who may have been among the earliest settlers or landowners in the area.

In the 16th century, a prominent figure with the Berben surname was Johann Berben (1510-1572), a German theologian and reformer who was a close associate of Martin Luther. Berben played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation movement and authored several influential works on theological subjects.

Another notable individual was Hans Berben (1548-1612), a German painter and engraver from Cologne. His works, which included religious paintings and engravings, were highly regarded during his lifetime and can be found in various museums and collections across Europe.

In the 19th century, the Berben surname gained further prominence with the birth of Friedrich Berben (1826-1898), a German industrialist and entrepreneur. He founded the Berben & Co. company, which became a leading manufacturer of textiles and dyes, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and the textile industry.

Throughout its history, the Berben surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artisans, merchants, theologians, and industrialists. While the name may have originated in the textile trade, its bearers have left their mark across different fields, contributing to the rich cultural heritage of Germany and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Berben

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Berben 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Berben has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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