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

Detlaff, 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 Detlaff surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Detlaff in America

Detlaff is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Detlaff surname appeared 115 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 Detlaff.

We can also compare 2010 data for Detlaff 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 Detlaff

The surname Detlaff originated in Germany, particularly in the regions of Prussia and Pomerania, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old German words "diet," meaning "people," and "laff," meaning "remnant" or "survivor." The name likely referred to individuals who were part of a group that had survived a significant event or conflict.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Detlaff can be found in the Prussian chronicles from the 13th century, where it was spelled as "Detleff" or "Detlav." This variation in spelling was common during that era due to the lack of standardized orthography.

In the 14th century, the name Detlaff appeared in several historical records, including the Lubeck City Archives and the Mecklenburg Regesta. These documents mention individuals with the name Detlaff holding various positions, such as merchants, craftsmen, and landowners.

One notable individual with the surname Detlaff was Hans Detlaff, a German merchant and explorer who lived in the late 15th century. He is known for his travels to the Baltic regions and his contributions to early maritime trade.

In the 16th century, the name Detlaff gained prominence in the region of Pomerania, where it was associated with several noble families. One such family was the Detlaff von Arnim, whose members held influential positions in the Prussian government and military.

Another significant figure with the surname Detlaff was Johann Detlaff Brinckmann, a German painter and engraver born in 1670. He is renowned for his intricate etchings and engravings depicting landscapes and architectural scenes.

During the 18th century, the name Detlaff was found in various records from the German states, including Prussia, Saxony, and Bavaria. One notable individual from this period was Friedrich Wilhelm Detlaff, a German philosopher and theologian born in 1720, who wrote extensively on religious and moral topics.

In the 19th century, the surname Detlaff spread beyond Germany, with individuals bearing this name found in other European countries and the United States. One example is Carl Detlaff, a German-American engineer and inventor born in 1832, who contributed significantly to the development of early typewriters and printing machines.

Throughout its history, the surname Detlaff has been associated with various professions, including merchants, artisans, scholars, and military personnel. While its origin and meaning are rooted in the German language, the name has spread across borders and cultures, carrying with it a rich legacy spanning several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Detlaff

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

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

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

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