Detring last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Detring

An occupational surname thought to derive from the Middle Low German "dēteren" meaning tinker or brazier.

Detring, 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 Detring surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Detring in America

Detring is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Detring surname appeared 100 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 Detring.

The history of the last name Detring

The surname Detring is believed to have its origins in Germany, potentially dating back to the medieval period. The name is thought to originate from regions such as Lower Saxony, where it could have been derived from a geographical location or occupation. The suffix "-ing" often denotes belonging or origin and was common in Old Germanic languages.

Historical records and manuscripts from the 12th and 13th centuries do not frequently mention Detring, suggesting it was either a localized name or less common during that era. Nevertheless, old records from municipalities and church documents provide snippets of information that point to its existence. The lack of frequent appearance in major documents like the Domesday Book, which is specific to England, supports the theory of its German origins.

One of the earliest noted individuals with the surname Detring is Heinrich Detring, who appears in a regional document in the early 14th century. Heinrich was recorded as a landowner in what is now Lower Saxony, around the year 1325. His presence in these records indicates the family’s modest wealth and influence in local affairs.

In the 16th century, another notable individual, Johann Detring, emerged. Born around 1530, Johann was involved in the administrative duties of his region. Documents from 1560 to 1585 often mention him as a council member, contributing to political and social decisions at the time. His role signifies the family's continued prominence in local governance.

The 17th century saw the rise of Friedrich Detring, born in 1642. Friedrich became known for his contributions to the local economy, especially through trade and commerce. Records from 1675 highlight his activities in the marketplace, suggesting the Detring family had diversified their engagements from purely agrarian roots to economic ventures.

In the 18th century, Maria Detring, born in 1778, stands out as a prominent figure in genealogical records. Maria was part of a lineage that sought education and was among the first in her family to be formally educated. Her letters and personal documents from the early 1800s provide insight into the family’s values, particularly the emphasis on learning and personal development.

In more modern history, the name Carl Detring, born in 1820, is notable. Carl was an influential figure in the 19th-century industrial movement within Germany. His involvement in early mechanical engineering projects and contributions to local infrastructural advancements were recorded around 1864. Carl’s innovative spirit and role in industrial developments highlight the family's adaptation to changing times.

The surname Detring, with its roots deeply embedded in the historical and geographical context of medieval Germany, showcases a transition from landowners to influential figures in politics, trade, education, and industry through the centuries. Each generation of Detrings has contributed uniquely to their societal structures, forging a legacy that endures in historical records.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Detring

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

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 Detring was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 99.00% 99
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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

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

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"Detring last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/detring-surname-popularity/.

"Detring last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/detring-surname-popularity/. Accessed 9 July, 2025

Detring last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/detring-surname-popularity/.

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