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

Gaertner, 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 Gaertner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gaertner in America

Gaertner is the 15303rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gaertner surname appeared 1,918 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 Gaertner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gaertner 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 Gaertner

The surname Gaertner has its origins in Germany, where it emerged during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "Gärtner," which translates to "gardener" or "horticulturist." This occupational surname was initially given to individuals who worked as gardeners or cultivated gardens and vineyards.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Gaertner can be traced back to the 13th century in various German regions, such as Bavaria and Saxony. Some of the earliest documented spellings include Gartner, Gertner, and Gartener. These variations reflect the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time.

One notable historical reference to the name Gaertner is found in the Stadtbücher (city books) of Nuremberg, dating back to the late 14th century. These records document individuals with the surname Gaertner engaged in various professions, including gardening and horticulture.

In the 16th century, the Gaertner family played a significant role in the development of horticulture and botany in Germany. Johann Gaertner (1498-1574), a botanist and physician from Calw, wrote several influential works on plant taxonomy and medicinal herbs. His son, Jacob Gaertner (1550-1619), followed in his footsteps and became a renowned botanist and professor at the University of Altdorf.

Another prominent figure with the surname Gaertner was Carl Friedrich von Gaertner (1772-1850), a German naturalist and botanist. He is best known for his extensive work on plant taxonomy and his contributions to the study of plant anatomy and morphology.

Other notable individuals with the surname Gaertner include:

1. Joseph Gaertner (1732-1791), a German botanist and physician, who published influential works on plant taxonomy and classification.
2. Karl Christian Gaertner (1712-1791), a German painter and engraver, known for his contributions to the art of mezzotint printmaking.
3. Eduard Gaertner (1801-1877), a German architect and urban planner, responsible for the design of several notable buildings in Berlin.
4. Gustav Gaertner (1855-1937), a German physicist and inventor, known for his contributions to the development of X-ray technology and its applications in medicine.
5. Friedrich von Gaertner (1791-1847), a German architect and city planner, who played a significant role in the urban development of Munich during the 19th century.

While the surname Gaertner has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and immigration. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remain rooted in the occupation of gardening and horticulture, reflecting the cultural and historical significance of these professions in German society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gaertner

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

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

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

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