Faiman
A Yiddish surname likely derived from the name "Faivish" or "Feivush".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Faiman. That puts it at #77,788 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Faiman surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#77,788
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
246
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 246 bearers of the surname Faiman in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 77788th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Faiman, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Faiman
The surname FAIMAN originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Germanic word "fehiman," which meant "cattle herder" or "livestock manager." This occupation was highly valued in medieval times, as cattle and livestock were essential for farming, transportation, and sustenance.
One of the earliest known references to the surname FAIMAN can be found in a 13th-century manuscript from the region of Bavaria. This document recorded a transaction involving a man named Hans Faiman, who was a respected cattle herder in the village of Ingolstadt.
In the 14th century, the surname FAIMAN began appearing in various records and documents across southern Germany. One notable example is the birth record of Johannes Faiman in 1367 in the town of Augsburg. This record also mentions his father, Dietrich Faiman, indicating that the surname had already been established for at least one generation.
As the FAIMAN family spread across Germany, variations in spelling emerged, such as Feiman, Feyman, and Feimann. These variations likely resulted from regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling during the Middle Ages.
One of the earliest known individuals with the surname FAIMAN was Heinrich Faiman, born in 1412 in the town of Nuremberg. He gained recognition as a skilled blacksmith and was commissioned to create intricate metalwork for several churches in the region.
Another notable figure was Anna Faiman, born in 1523 in the city of Heidelberg. She was a respected herbalist and midwife, renowned for her knowledge of medicinal plants and her compassionate care for mothers and their newborns.
In the 17th century, the FAIMAN surname appeared in the records of the University of Tübingen, where a scholar named Johannes Faiman (1645-1718) taught philosophy and theology. He was known for his insightful writings on ethics and the nature of human existence.
During the 18th century, a branch of the FAIMAN family settled in the town of Mainz, where they became successful vintners. One of their descendants, Friedrich Faiman (1771-1841), was celebrated for his exceptional winemaking skills and his contributions to the local wine industry.
The 19th century saw the rise of a prominent artist named Wilhelm Faiman (1832-1904), who hailed from the city of Berlin. His landscape paintings and portraits captured the beauty of the German countryside and were highly sought after by art collectors across Europe.
Throughout their history, the FAIMAN surname has been associated with various occupations, from cattle herders and blacksmiths to scholars, vintners, and artists. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings, it has left an indelible mark on German culture and society over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Faiman
Among Census respondents with the surname Faiman, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Faiman bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Faiman surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.3%
- Hispanic or Latino3.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Faiman surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #77,788 | #77,788 | 0.0% |
| Count | 246 | 246 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Faiman bearers went from 246 to 246 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #77,788 to #77,788.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Faiman
FAQ
Faiman surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Faiman?
The surname Faiman holds position #77,788 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Faiman surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Faiman, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.