Gutenberg
A surname derived from the German town of Gutenberg, meaning "good hill."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Gutenberg. That puts it at #152,628 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 Gutenberg 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
#152,628
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
107
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 107 bearers of the surname Gutenberg in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 152628th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gutenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gutenberg
The surname Gutenberg originated in the German region of Rhineland-Palatinate, specifically in the town of Mainz, during the late Middle Ages. It is derived from the German words "gut" meaning "good" and "berg" meaning "mountain" or "hill". The name likely referred to a person who lived on or near a fertile hill or mountain.
The earliest known record of the name Gutenberg dates back to the late 14th century, appearing in various manuscripts and legal documents from the city of Mainz. One significant historical reference is Johannes Gutenberg, the renowned inventor of the movable-type printing press, who was born around 1400 in Mainz. His revolutionary invention played a crucial role in the spread of knowledge and the Renaissance era.
Another notable figure bearing the Gutenberg surname was Johann Gutenberg, a German printer and publisher who lived in the late 15th century. He is believed to have been a relative of Johannes Gutenberg and played a role in the early development of the printing industry.
In the 16th century, the Gutenberg family expanded their presence to other parts of Germany, with records showing individuals with this surname in cities such as Frankfurt and Cologne. One notable member from this period was Johann Gutenberg, a German composer and organist who lived from 1587 to 1635 and contributed to the development of Lutheran church music.
During the 17th century, a branch of the Gutenberg family settled in the Netherlands, where they adopted the Dutch spelling "Goudenberg". One prominent figure from this era was Pieter van Goudenberg, a Dutch Golden Age painter who lived from 1622 to 1697 and was known for his still-life and portrait paintings.
In the 18th century, the Gutenberg surname continued to be found in various German-speaking regions, with records showing individuals in areas such as Bavaria and Saxony. One notable figure from this period was Johann Christoph Gutenberg, a German philosopher and theologian who lived from 1722 to 1799 and contributed to the field of natural theology.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gutenberg
Among Census respondents with the surname Gutenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Gutenberg 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 Gutenberg surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White89.7%
- Black or African American6.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gutenberg 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 | #152,628 | #152,628 | 0.0% |
| Count | 107 | 107 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gutenberg bearers went from 107 to 107 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #152,628 to #152,628.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gutenberg
FAQ
Gutenberg surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gutenberg?
The surname Gutenberg holds position #152,628 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 Gutenberg surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gutenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%). 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.