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

Elbe, 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 Elbe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Elbe in America

Elbe is the 51830th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Elbe surname appeared 401 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 Elbe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Elbe 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 Elbe

The surname Elbe has its origins in Germany and is believed to have derived from the name of the river Elbe, one of the major waterways in Central Europe. The Elbe river flows through several countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, and has played a significant role in the region's history and geography.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Elbe can be traced back to the 13th century, when it appeared in various German documents and records. It is believed that the name was initially adopted by individuals who lived near the Elbe river or were associated with it in some way, such as merchants, fishermen, or ferrymen.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Elbe was Johann Elbe, a merchant who lived in the city of Hamburg in the late 15th century. Records from that time indicate that he was involved in the lucrative trade along the Elbe river, transporting goods between various cities and ports.

In the 16th century, the name Elbe appeared in several historical documents, including the Stadtbücher (city books) of various German towns and cities. These records often mentioned individuals with the surname Elbe as landowners, craftsmen, or members of local guilds.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Elbe began to spread beyond the immediate vicinity of the Elbe river. One notable figure from this period was Friedrich Elbe, a German philosopher and theologian who lived from 1726 to 1808. He was known for his writings on ethics and morality, and his works were widely read and discussed in academic circles of the time.

In the 19th century, the surname Elbe became more widespread across Europe, with bearers of the name found in various countries and professions. One notable individual from this era was August Elbe, a German composer and music educator who lived from 1837 to 1912. He composed several operas and choral works, and his contributions to music education in Germany were significant.

Another notable figure with the surname Elbe was Max Elbe, a German artist and illustrator who lived from 1861 to 1941. He was renowned for his intricate and detailed illustrations, which often depicted scenes from German folklore and mythology. His works were widely published in books and magazines and are still highly regarded by art collectors and enthusiasts.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Elbe who have made notable contributions throughout history. While the name may have originated from a geographical location, it has since become a part of the cultural fabric of various regions and has been carried forward by generations of families.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Elbe

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

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

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

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