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

Bernklau, 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 Bernklau surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Bernklau in America

Bernklau is the 138741st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bernklau surname appeared 111 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 Bernklau.

The history of the last name Bernklau

The surname Bernklau is of German origin, dating back several centuries. Its roots can be traced to the regions of Bavaria and possibly Thuringia in the southern and central parts of Germany. The name appears to be a compound of two elements: "Bern" and "Klau." "Bern" may derive from the old Germanic word "bero" meaning bear, symbolizing strength and courage. The element "Klau" might come from "klauen," which in Middle High German means claws, likely indicating someone with the qualities symbolized by bear's claws, such as strength and tenacity.

The surname Bernklau may have originated as a descriptive name given to individuals who were known for their strength or abilities in battle. Historical references to Bernklau can be found in medieval records from the 14th century onwards. However, the name does not appear in the earliest comprehensive surveys such as the Domesday Book, which primarily recorded lands in England.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Bernklau appears in a Bavarian tax record from 1372, where a Johannes Bernklau is listed as a landowner. This suggests that the family was of some means and had established themselves in the region. Over time, variations in spelling have been documented, such as Bernclau and Bernklav, mainly due to inconsistent record-keeping and regional dialects.

Among historical figures bearing the surname Bernklau is Heinrich Bernklau, born in 1542 and known for his role as a local magistrate in Nuremberg. Another notable individual was Ludwig Bernklau, an accomplished guild master and silversmith in Augsburg during the late 17th century, whose works are displayed in local museums.

In the 19th century, one prominent Bernklau was Karl Friedrich Bernklau, born in 1821, who was an influential industrialist in the city of Munich and contributed significantly to the local economy. Another individual, Anna Bernklau, born in 1875, became known for her pioneering work in education reform in Bavaria.

Finally, in the early 20th century, Wilhelm Bernklau, born in 1898, rose to prominence as a journalist and author, known for his detailed chronicles of Bavarian cultural history. His works remain a valuable resource for historians studying the region.

The surname has likely evolved alongside the families bearing it, moving and adapting throughout generations. While its usage may seem rare today, the name Bernklau carries with it a rich legacy of historical and cultural significance in Germany.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bernklau

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

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

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

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