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

Eby, 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 Eby surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Eby in America

Eby is the 5155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Eby surname appeared 6,786 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Eby.

We can also compare 2010 data for Eby 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 Eby

The surname Eby has its origins in Switzerland, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Swiss German word "Ebene," meaning "plain" or "flat land," suggesting that the name's earliest bearers may have hailed from a region with a flat or level terrain.

The earliest recorded instances of the Eby surname can be found in Swiss church records from the late 1500s and early 1600s. One notable entry is that of Hans Eby, born in 1612 in the village of Sumiswald, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland.

As the Eby family grew and migrated, variations in spelling emerged, including Eby, Ebey, Ebee, and Aeby. The name also appears to have been associated with certain place names, such as Ebnet and Ebnit, which may have influenced its evolution.

In the 17th century, members of the Eby family emigrated from Switzerland to the New World, seeking religious freedom and economic opportunities. Christian Eby (1673-1744) was among the earliest known Eby settlers in Pennsylvania, arriving in 1712 with his wife and children.

Another notable figure was Bishop Benjamin Eby (1785-1853), a prominent leader in the River Brethren church, who played a significant role in shaping the religious landscape of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

The Eby name has also made its mark in fields beyond religion. John Eby (1788-1863) was a notable politician and farmer in Pennsylvania, serving as a member of the state legislature and advocating for agricultural reform.

In the realm of literature, Emerson Eby (1857-1926), an American author and journalist, gained recognition for his works on travel and adventure, including his book "Prose Pastorals."

Lastly, Peter Eby (1765-1843), a Canadian entrepreneur and landowner, left a lasting legacy through his contributions to the development of the town of Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario, where he established several businesses and played a pivotal role in the community's growth.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and diverse contributions associated with the Eby surname, which has its roots in the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland and has since spread across continents, leaving an indelible mark on various facets of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Eby

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

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

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

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