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

Elsa, 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 Elsa surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Elsa in America

Elsa is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Elsa surname appeared 103 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 Elsa.

The history of the last name Elsa

The surname Elsa finds its roots in Germany, emerging during the medieval period. One of the earliest derivations of this name comes from the Germanic personal name "Elis," which is itself a diminutive form of "Elisabeth." As a result, the usage of Elsa as a surname can be traced back to people who were perhaps descendants or retainers of individuals with the given name. The name's evolution is marked by various regional dialects and customs within the German-speaking territories.

Elsa as a surname began appearing in historical records around the 13th and 14th centuries. Various German parish registers and municipal records from this time period show individuals bearing the surname, often indicating it originated as a patronymic. The medieval feudal system and the practice of naming conventions based on parental and ancestral names contributed to its spread across the Germanic regions.

One notable historical reference to the surname Elsa is found in the mid-15th century with the German scholar and humanist, Johannes Elsa, born in 1410 and passed in 1475. His works in literature and philosophy made significant contributions to the Renaissance movement in Germany. The name appeared in academic manuscripts and correspondence, indicating its presence among intellectual circles.

In the 16th century, the surname Elsa is found in municipal records from Augsburg, a prominent city in the Holy Roman Empire. Another early bearer was Mathias Elsa, born in 1534, who was a notable merchant in Augsburg. His commercial activities, documented in trade and tax records, underline the name's association with influential and prosperous families.

During the Thirty Years' War in the early 17th century, another figure, Martin Elsa, born in 1602, served as a military officer in the Swedish army. Documents from that period detailing the service of soldiers and officers reflect the migration and spread of surnames like Elsa as families moved for reasons of war and economic opportunity.

In the late 17th century, the surname appeared in academic and ecclesiastical records, such as those of Friederich Elsa, a theologian born in 1658. His theological treatises and sermons were known in both Germany and neighboring European countries, further illustrating the surname's association with learned and scholarly pursuits.

The surname Elsa is less commonly found in place names or older spellings of locations. Unlike some other surnames which might derive from towns or geographical features, Elsa's origins lie more firmly in personal naming traditions and their transformations over time.

The historical presence of the Elsa surname through various centuries and notable individuals underscores its enduring legacy in European, particularly German, history. Its connections with scholars, merchants, and military figures demonstrate the diverse contributions of those bearing this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Elsa

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

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 Elsa 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.

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

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

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