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

Fast, 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 Fast surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fast in America

Fast is the 6838th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fast surname appeared 4,929 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 Fast.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fast 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 Fast

The surname "FAST" is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German word "fasto," which means "firm" or "steadfast." This surname was likely given to individuals who exhibited qualities of firmness, steadfastness, or perhaps even stubbornness.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "FAST" can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Germany. One notable mention is found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, where a certain "Heinrich Fast" is mentioned in a land transaction dated 1278.

As the surname spread across Europe, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Faste," "Faste," and "Fasst." These variations were often influenced by local dialects and pronunciation variations.

Interestingly, the surname "FAST" is also found in some early English records, suggesting that individuals bearing this name may have migrated from Germany to England during the medieval period. One such example is the mention of a "John Fast" in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1230.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname "FAST." One of the earliest was Johann Fast (1496-1558), a German scholar and theologian who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. Another was Hans Fast (1543-1610), a German artist and engraver known for his intricate woodcuts and engravings.

In the 18th century, Johann Fast (1718-1788) was a prominent German architect who designed several notable buildings in the Baroque style. Moving forward to the 19th century, Friedrich Fast (1808-1878) was a German-American educator and author who contributed significantly to the educational system in the United States.

Finally, in the 20th century, Howard Fast (1914-2003) was an American novelist and writer known for his historical fiction and his involvement in leftist political causes. His works, such as "Spartacus" and "Freedom Road," explored themes of social justice and human rights.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the surname "FAST" throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of this surname's legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fast

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

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

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

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