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

Grotefend, 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 Grotefend surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Grotefend in America

Grotefend is the 140756th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Grotefend surname appeared 109 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 Grotefend.

The history of the last name Grotefend

The surname Grotefend originates from Germany, particularly in the northern regions around Lower Saxony. The earliest recorded instances date back to the late Middle Ages, a period when surnames became more widespread in Europe as a part of the broader societal shift towards greater administrative organization and record-keeping.

Grotefend is a compound surname derived from the Middle Low German language. "Groß" or "Grote" means "big" or "great," and "Fend" is believed to be derived from the word "vende," which means "to defend" or "defender." The surname could initially have identified a person who inhabited a notable or sizeable piece of land or a community protector or defender.

One of the earliest historical records mentioning the surname is from the town records of Hanover, where the name appears in various legal and property documents in the early 1500s. For instance, Hans Grotefend, a recognized burgher, was listed in municipal ledgers from 1523. His recorded transactions and community involvement indicate the presence and local importance of the Grotefend family in this region.

Another significant figure is Georg Friedrich Grotefend (1775-1853), a renowned German epigraphist and philologist. Born in Münden, he made critical contributions to the decipherment of Old Persian cuneiform, thereby significantly advancing the field of Near Eastern studies. His work earned him a notable place in academic circles, and his family name became known well beyond its original geographic boundaries.

In the late 19th century, Friedrich Wilhelm Grotefend (1817-1878) was a distinguished librarian and historian. He also authored several works about historical documentation and archival science, playing a substantial role in the preservation and understanding of German historical texts.

During the early 20th century, Heinrich Grotefend (1885-1966), a German painter and graphic artist, gained prominence for his contributions to the art scene in Berlin. His works, characterized by their unique style and depiction of contemporary life, have been exhibited in significant galleries and remain appreciated by art historians.

Karl Grotefend, born in 1930 in Göttingen, was a notable figure in botanical sciences. His research and publications focused on plant taxonomy and ecology, which have been influential in the scientific community.

Karl Grotefend's excellent scholarship demonstrates how the name has been associated with intellectual and cultural contributions through various generations. Even though recent records might not be part of this historical overview, the surname Grotefend clearly has a rich legacy characterized by influential figures in science, art, and humanities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Grotefend

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

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

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

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