Demme
A nickname or occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word "demme" meaning a barrier, dam or dike.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Demme. That puts it at #77,788 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Demme 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
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#77,788
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
246
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 246 bearers of the surname Demme in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 77788th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Demme, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.9%. The next largest groups are Black (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Demme
The surname Demme originated in Germany, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word "tëme," meaning "quiet" or "tame." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname referring to someone with a calm or gentle demeanor.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Hans Demme, a farmer from the village of Kirchheim in Württemberg, who was mentioned in local records from the late 1500s. Another early record mentions a Johann Demme, a shoemaker from the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, who lived in the early 17th century.
In the 18th century, the name appeared in various German church registers and census records, with variations such as Demme, Demmert, and Demmler. Some of these records may have been referring to families who had migrated from one region to another within Germany.
One notable bearer of the name was Friedrich Demme, a German physician who lived from 1833 to 1898. He made significant contributions to the field of pediatrics and is credited with introducing the term "pediatrics" to the German medical community.
Another historical figure was Carl Demme, a German gymnast and athlete who competed in the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. He participated in several gymnastics events and won a bronze medal in the parallel bars competition.
In the 20th century, the name gained some recognition in the entertainment industry with the American film director Ted Demme, who was born in 1963 and tragically passed away in 2002. He directed several successful films, including the cult classic "Blow" starring Johnny Depp.
Additionally, there was Ernst Demme, a German World War II veteran and author, who wrote several books recounting his experiences as a soldier on the Eastern Front. He lived from 1920 to 2008.
While the surname Demme is not exceptionally common, it has a rich history that can be traced back to its Germanic roots, with various notable bearers contributing to fields such as medicine, athletics, and the arts over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Demme
Among Census respondents with the surname Demme, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.9%. The next largest groups are Black (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Demme 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 Demme surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.9%
- Black or African American2.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Demme 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 | #77,788 | #77,788 | 0.0% |
| Count | 246 | 246 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Demme bearers went from 246 to 246 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #77,788 to #77,788.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Demme
FAQ
Demme surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Demme?
The surname Demme holds position #77,788 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Demme surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Demme, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.9%. The next largest groups are Black (2.0%). 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.