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

Fing, 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 Fing surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Fing in America

Fing is the 104819th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fing surname appeared 158 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 Fing.

The history of the last name Fing

The surname Fing is believed to have its origins in northern European countries, particularly Denmark and possibly Germany. The earliest recorded instances of the name appear in medieval times, with evidence pointing to its presence in records dating back to the 13th century. Linguistically, the name may be derived from the Old Norse word "fingr" or the Old High German word "fingar," both of which mean "finger." This etymology suggests that the name could have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone with notable fingers, possibly a craftsman or artisan.

The earliest mentions of the surname Fing can be found in Danish royal rolls and land grants from the 1200s. One of the first recorded individuals bearing the surname was Arnulf Fing, a blacksmith noted in a 1298 municipal document from Aarhus, Denmark. The name often appeared in variations such as Finge or Fingh during this period, indicating regional dialectal differences in spelling.

Throughout the medieval period, several members of the Fing family made their mark in historical records. Johan Fing, born in 1325, was a notable landowner in Schleswig-Holstein and is mentioned in a 1365 land deed. Later, in the early 15th century, another significant figure was Lisa Fing, who was born in 1410 and was known for her charitable work in Copenhagen. She is referenced in a 1453 will, which bequeathed a significant portion of her estate to local hospitals and churches.

With the passage of time, the surname spread to neighboring regions, and variations in spelling continued to appear in documents. In the Holy Roman Empire, particularly in present-day Germany, records from the late 16th century mention a merchant named Heinrich Fing, born in 1572, who was involved in the wool trade in Hamburg. His success in commerce made the name well-known in trading circles of the time.

By the 17th century, the name had crossed into the British Isles. Christoph Fing, born in 1602, emigrated to England and became a notable figure in London’s weaving industry. Christoph Fing is mentioned in the Guild records of 1651, highlighting his contributions to the textile trade during the Stuart period. The name continued to be of interest through the ensuing decades, with records mentioning Richard Fing, a vicar in Derbyshire, whose birth is recorded around 1690 and who served as a clergyman until his death in 1765.

These five individuals—Arnulf Fing, Johan Fing, Lisa Fing, Heinrich Fing, and Christoph Fing—represent key historical bearers of the surname, showcasing the diverse roles and regions associated with the Fing lineage. Their appearances in historical documents underscore the name’s longstanding presence and varied contributions across different fields and geographies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fing

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

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

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

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