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

Fenstermaker, 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 Fenstermaker surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fenstermaker in America

Fenstermaker is the 14443rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fenstermaker surname appeared 2,069 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Fenstermaker.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fenstermaker 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 Fenstermaker

The surname FENSTERMAKER is of German origin, originating in the regions of what is now modern-day Germany and Switzerland during the medieval period. The name is derived from the German words "fenster" meaning window, and "macher" meaning maker or builder, literally translating to "window maker" or "window builder."

Records show that the name first appeared in the late 13th century, with variations such as Fenstermecher, Fenstermecher, and Fenstermacher. These early spellings reflect the regional dialects and variations in the language at the time. The name likely referred to an occupation or trade, as it was common for surnames to originate from professions or crafts during this era.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name is Hans Fenstermecher, a glazier recorded in the city of Nuremberg in 1384. Another notable early record is Johannes Fenstermacher, a glassmaker mentioned in the archives of the city of Basel, Switzerland, in 1427.

As the name spread throughout the German-speaking regions, it took on various spellings and forms, including Fenstermaker, Fenstermecher, Fenstermacher, and Fenstermacher. These variations reflect the local dialects and spelling conventions of different areas.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, as Germans began to migrate and settle in other parts of Europe and later in North America, the name traveled with them. One of the earliest known bearers of the name in North America was Johann Georg Fenstermaker, who arrived in Pennsylvania from Germany in 1738.

Other notable individuals with the surname FENSTERMAKER throughout history include:

1. Wilhelm Fenstermaker (1677-1745), a German glassmaker and artisan known for his intricate stained glass windows in churches across Bavaria.
2. Anna Maria Fenstermaker (1756-1832), a pioneer and early settler in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, known for her involvement in the American Revolutionary War efforts.
3. Johann Fenstermaker (1802-1879), a German immigrant to the United States who became a prominent farmer and landowner in Pennsylvania.
4. Friedrich Fenstermaker (1822-1891), a German-American architect and builder who designed several notable buildings in Philadelphia, including the former Philadelphia County Courthouse.
5. Ella Fenstermaker (1867-1946), an American educator and women's rights advocate who worked to promote equal educational opportunities for women in the early 20th century.

The surname FENSTERMAKER has a rich history rooted in the craftsmanship and trade of window making in the German-speaking regions of Europe. As it spread across the continent and eventually to other parts of the world, the name has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, reflecting the diverse experiences and contributions of those who carried it forward.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fenstermaker

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

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

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

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