Firstenberg
German surname meaning "first" or "oldest inhabitant" of a place.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Firstenberg. That puts it at #139,228 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Firstenberg 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
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#139,228
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
120
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 120 bearers of the surname Firstenberg in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 139228th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Firstenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.3%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Firstenberg
The surname Firstenberg has its origins in the German language, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the combination of two words: "Furst," which translates to "prince" or "ruler," and "Berg," meaning "mountain" or "hill." This suggests that the name may have originated from individuals who resided in a mountainous region associated with a local ruler or nobleman.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Firstenberg surname can be found in the town records of Heidelberg, Germany, dating back to the late 1500s. These records document a family with the name Furstenberg, which was likely an earlier spelling variation of the modern Firstenberg name.
In the 17th century, the Firstenberg name appeared in various church registers and legal documents across different regions of Germany. Notably, a Johannes Firstenberg was listed as a landowner in the village of Kirchheim in 1632, indicating the family's presence in the area during that time.
As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling alterations, including Firstenburg, Fürstenberg, and Furstenberg. These variations often reflected regional dialects and linguistic influences.
One notable individual bearing the Firstenberg surname was Hans Firstenberg, a prominent merchant and trader who lived in the Hanseatic city of Lübeck during the late 15th century. His successful business dealings and involvement in local affairs contributed to the recognition of the name in the region.
Another historical figure was Sophia Firstenberg (1654-1732), a renowned author and philosopher from the city of Wittenberg. Her influential works on ethics and moral philosophy were widely read and discussed during the Age of Enlightenment.
In the 19th century, the Firstenberg name gained recognition with the achievements of Wilhelm Firstenberg (1813-1887), a German mathematician and astronomer. His contributions to celestial mechanics and the study of comets earned him a respected reputation within the scientific community of his time.
The name also found its way into the arts, with the painter and illustrator Emilie Firstenberg (1842-1912) gaining recognition for her vivid landscapes and portraiture. Her works were exhibited in various galleries across Europe and are now part of several prestigious art collections.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Firstenberg name outside of Germany can be traced to the Netherlands, where a family by the name of Firstenberg settled in the city of Amsterdam in the mid-17th century. This branch of the family was involved in the shipping and maritime industries, contributing to the city's flourishing trade during the Dutch Golden Age.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Firstenberg
Among Census respondents with the surname Firstenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.3%.
The bar chart below shows how Firstenberg 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 Firstenberg surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Firstenberg 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 | #139,228 | #139,228 | 0.0% |
| Count | 120 | 120 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Firstenberg bearers went from 120 to 120 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #139,228 to #139,228.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Firstenberg
FAQ
Firstenberg surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Firstenberg?
The surname Firstenberg holds position #139,228 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Firstenberg surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Firstenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.3%. 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.