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

Fernberg, 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 Fernberg surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fernberg in America

Fernberg is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fernberg surname appeared 115 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 Fernberg.

The history of the last name Fernberg

The surname Fernberg has its origins in Germany, dating back to the late 15th century. It is derived from the German words "fern" meaning "distant" and "berg" meaning "mountain" or "hill." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a family or individual who lived in or near a distant or remote mountainous region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Kirchenbücher (church records) of the town of Saxe-Coburg in central Germany, where a certain Hans Fernberg was mentioned in 1487. Another early mention is found in the tax records of the town of Bamberg in Bavaria, where a farmer named Jörg Fernberg was listed in 1511.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name appeared sporadically in various parts of Germany, with slight variations in spelling such as Fernbergh, Fernberger, and Fernbergen. These variations likely emerged due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time.

One notable bearer of the name was Johann Fernberg, a Protestant theologian and reformer who lived from 1536 to 1599. He was a prominent figure in the Reformation movement in Saxony and played a significant role in the spread of Lutheran teachings in the region.

In the 18th century, the name Fernberg can be found in connection with several place names, such as Fernbergerhof, a farm located in the village of Schönau in Bavaria, and Fernberger Wald, a forested area near the town of Kirchberg an der Jagst in Baden-Württemberg.

Another individual of note was Georg Fernberg (1748-1815), a German artist and engraver who was renowned for his intricate copper engravings depicting landscapes and architectural scenes. His works were highly valued during his lifetime and are now considered important examples of late 18th-century German art.

In the 19th century, a prominent bearer of the name was Wilhelm Fernberg (1824-1891), a German industrialist and entrepreneur who founded the Fernberg Steel Company in the city of Essen. His company played a significant role in the rapid industrialization of the Ruhr region and contributed to Germany's economic growth during that period.

Throughout its history, the surname Fernberg has been carried by numerous individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, industrialists, and farmers. While not a particularly common name, it has left its mark on the cultural and historical landscape of Germany, reflecting the country's diverse heritage and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fernberg

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

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

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

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