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

Clotfelter, 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 Clotfelter surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Clotfelter in America

Clotfelter is the 43438th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Clotfelter surname appeared 497 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 Clotfelter.

We can also compare 2010 data for Clotfelter 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 Clotfelter

The surname Clotfelter is of German origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval times, around the 13th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Bavaria, where it was initially spelled as "Klotfeldter" or "Klotfelter." The name is derived from the Old German words "klot," meaning "lump" or "clod," and "felter," which translates to "field worker" or "plowman." This combination suggests that the name was likely bestowed upon someone who worked in the fields, tilling the soil and breaking up clods of earth.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Clotfelter name can be found in the Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where a certain Hans Klotfeldter was mentioned in a local census record from the year 1468. This document provides a glimpse into the historical presence of the name in the region.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, as many German families sought new opportunities and religious freedom, some bearers of the Clotfelter name migrated to other parts of Europe and eventually to the American colonies. One notable figure from this period was Johann Clotfelter, who was born in 1612 in the town of Nürnberg, Bavaria. He later settled in Pennsylvania, where he and his family became prominent members of the local German-American community.

In the 18th century, the Clotfelter name appeared in various historical records, including land deeds and church registries. A certain Michael Clotfelter, born in 1734 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, was a prominent farmer and landowner who played a role in the local militia during the American Revolutionary War.

As the centuries passed, the Clotfelter name continued to spread across different regions of the United States. Notable individuals bearing this surname include:

1. William Clotfelter (1801-1879), a businessman and politician from Ohio, who served as a member of the Ohio State Senate in the mid-19th century.

2. Mary Elizabeth Clotfelter (1848-1918), an American educator and author, known for her works on the history and culture of the Appalachian region.

3. John Clotfelter (1872-1951), a renowned architect from North Carolina, who designed several notable buildings in the state, including the Forsyth County Courthouse.

4. Robert Clotfelter (1915-2002), a celebrated artist and sculptor from California, whose works are featured in various museums and private collections.

5. Sarah Clotfelter (born 1983), a contemporary novelist and poet, whose works explore themes of identity, family, and the human experience.

While the Clotfelter name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, its historical roots can be traced back to the fields of medieval Bavaria, where it originated as a descriptive name for those who worked the land.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Clotfelter

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

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

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

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