Goldfinger
Surname indicating one who worked with or processed gold as an occupation.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 514 Americans carry the last name Goldfinger. That puts it at #47,521 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.15 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 666,837 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Goldfinger 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
514
1 in 666,837
Census rank
#47,521
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
446
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 446 bearers of the surname Goldfinger in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 47521st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Goldfinger, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Two or More Races (1.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Goldfinger
The surname Goldfinger has its origins in Germany, where it first emerged in the late 16th century. The name is derived from the German words "gold" and "finger," which together refer to a goldsmith or someone who worked with gold. It is believed that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to individuals who practiced this profession.
One of the earliest recorded references to the Goldfinger surname can be found in the records of the city of Augsburg, Germany, dating back to the late 1500s. These records mention a certain Johann Goldfinger, who was a renowned goldsmith in the city at that time. The name also appears in various other German regional records from the 16th and 17th centuries.
In the 18th century, the Goldfinger name began to spread beyond the borders of Germany. Historical records show that several Goldfinger families emigrated to other parts of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and even as far as Russia. One notable individual from this period was Friedrich Goldfinger (1724-1802), a German-born goldsmith who gained fame in St. Petersburg, Russia, for his intricate and ornate works.
As the 19th century dawned, the Goldfinger surname became more widely dispersed across Europe and beyond. One of the most notable figures with this name was Franz Goldfinger (1820-1892), an Austrian-born goldsmith and inventor who developed several innovative techniques for working with precious metals. His contributions to the field of metalsmithing were widely recognized during his lifetime.
In the 20th century, the Goldfinger name continued to be associated with the goldsmithing trade, although it also began to appear in other professions as well. One prominent individual from this period was Sir Erno Goldfinger (1902-1987), a British architect and designer of Hungarian descent, known for his innovative and controversial brutalist style of architecture.
Another noteworthy figure with the Goldfinger surname was Walter Goldfinger (1910-2000), an Austrian-born British artist and sculptor who was renowned for his abstract and modernist works. His sculptures can be found in numerous public spaces and galleries across Europe and North America.
Throughout its history, the surname Goldfinger has maintained a strong connection to the art and craft of working with gold and precious metals. While it has branched out into other fields over time, its roots in the goldsmithing profession have endured as a central part of its meaning and legacy.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Goldfinger
Among Census respondents with the surname Goldfinger, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Two or More Races (1.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Goldfinger 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 Goldfinger surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.4%
- Hispanic or Latino3.4%
- Two or more races1.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Goldfinger 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 | #47,521 | #47,521 | 0.0% |
| Count | 446 | 446 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Goldfinger bearers went from 446 to 446 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #47,521 to #47,521.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Goldfinger
FAQ
Goldfinger surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Goldfinger?
The surname Goldfinger holds position #47,521 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 514 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Goldfinger surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Goldfinger, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Two or More Races (1.4%). 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.