Bier
A German and Jewish occupational surname referring to a brewer or beer maker.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,708 Americans carry the last name Bier. That puts it at #13,177 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.79 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 126,571 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bier surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
2.7K
1 in 126,571
Census rank
#13,177
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,320 bearers of the surname Bier in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.79 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 13177th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bier, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bier
The surname Bier is of German origin, derived from the German word "bier," which means "beer." This name is believed to have originated in the 13th century and was likely an occupational name for someone involved in the brewing or selling of beer.
In medieval Germany, the brewing industry was a significant economic activity, and many individuals were involved in various aspects of beer production and trade. The surname Bier may have been initially given to those who worked as brewers, tavern keepers, or beer merchants.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bier can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the Kingdom of Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. This document mentions a person named "Henricus Bier" in the year 1285.
Another notable early reference to the name Bier is found in the Stadtbuch von Memmingen, a historical record from the town of Memmingen in Bavaria, Germany. This document, dating from the 14th century, lists a "Johannes Bier" as a resident of the town.
In the 15th century, there are records of a prominent family named Bier residing in the city of Nuremberg, which was a center of trade and commerce during that time. One member of this family, Hans Bier (1457-1523), was a respected merchant and philanthropist who contributed to the development of the city.
During the Renaissance period, a notable figure with the surname Bier was Johann Bier (1543-1605), a German composer and organist who served at the court of the Elector of Saxony. His musical works, including motets and sacred compositions, were highly regarded in his time.
Another individual of historical significance with the surname Bier was Karl Bier (1857-1917), a German surgeon and medical pioneer. He is credited with developing the technique of spinal anesthesia, which revolutionized pain management in surgical procedures.
Throughout history, the surname Bier has been associated with various occupations and professions, from brewers and merchants to artists, musicians, and medical professionals. While the name originated as an occupational surname, it has since become a widespread family name across Germany and other parts of Europe.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bier
Among Census respondents with the surname Bier, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Bier bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Bier surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.8%
- Hispanic or Latino5.3%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Black or African American0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bier surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #13,177 | #13,177 | 0.0% |
| Count | 2,320 | 2,320 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.79 | 0.79 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bier bearers went from 2,320 to 2,320 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #13,177 to #13,177.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bier
FAQ
Bier surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bier?
The surname Bier holds position #13,177 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,708 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.79 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bier surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bier, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.