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

Frankenstein, 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 Frankenstein surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Frankenstein in America

Frankenstein is the 60636th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Frankenstein surname appeared 332 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 Frankenstein.

We can also compare 2010 data for Frankenstein 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 Frankenstein

The surname Frankenstein originates from Germany, with its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic words "frankon" meaning "free" and "stein" meaning "stone" or "rock." The name likely referred to someone who lived near a prominent stone or rock formation, or perhaps a person of free status.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Frankenstein can be found in the medieval German manuscript known as the Codex Manesse, dating back to the early 14th century. This illuminated manuscript contains a collection of love poetry and includes a reference to a nobleman named Heinrich von Frankenstein.

Another early mention of the name is in the Heidelberg Liederhandschrift, a 14th-century manuscript containing Middle High German poetry. It includes works by a poet named Reinmar von Frankenstein, who was likely a knight or nobleman from the Frankenstein region.

In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Johannes Frankenstein lived in the town of Darmstadt, Germany. He served as a court official and advisor to the Count of Hesse-Darmstadt and played a significant role in local politics and administration.

During the Renaissance period, a notable scholar and humanist named Georg Frankenstein (1516-1589) made significant contributions to the field of education. He was born in Worms, Germany, and served as a rector at various schools, promoting the study of classical literature and philosophy.

In the 17th century, a military commander named Johann von Frankenstein (1624-1689) gained recognition for his service in the Thirty Years' War. He held the rank of Field Marshal and played a crucial role in several battles, earning him a reputation as a skilled strategist and leader.

Another noteworthy individual with the surname Frankenstein was the 18th-century artist and engraver Johann Andreas Frankenstein (1718-1783). He was born in Nuremberg, Germany, and is known for his intricate copperplate engravings, which depicted landscapes, architectural scenes, and biblical narratives.

While the surname Frankenstein has a rich history dating back several centuries, it gained global recognition in the early 19th century with the publication of Mary Shelley's iconic novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" in 1818. The novel's protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, and his creation, the Frankenstein monster, have become cultural icons, shaping the way the name is perceived and understood in modern times.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Frankenstein

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

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

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

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