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

Hafner, 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 Hafner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hafner in America

Hafner is the 6532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hafner surname appeared 5,187 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Hafner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hafner 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 Hafner

The surname HAFNER originated in Germany and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word "hafen," meaning a pot or vessel, specifically referring to those used in ovens or furnaces. The name likely indicated an occupation or trade involving pottery or metalworking.

In its earliest forms, the surname was recorded as "Hafener" or "Hafner" in various regions of Germany. One of the earliest known mentions of the name can be found in a manuscript from the city of Nuremberg, dated around 1290, which lists a certain "Heinrich Hafner" as a resident potter.

The HAFNER name appeared to have been particularly prevalent in the areas of Bavaria and Saxony, where pottery and metalworking industries were well-established during the medieval period. Records from the 14th and 15th centuries show variations such as "Haffner" and "Haffener" in these regions.

One notable early bearer of the HAFNER name was Johann Hafner, a renowned potter from the city of Meissen, who lived from around 1470 to 1538. He is credited with developing the famous Meissen porcelain, which became highly sought-after throughout Europe.

Another historical figure was Georg Hafner, born in 1588 in Nuremberg, who was a skilled goldsmith and engraver. His intricate metalwork and engravings on various objects, including armor and weapons, were highly prized by nobility and collectors during his lifetime.

In the 17th century, the HAFNER name can be found in records from the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where a family of potters and tile makers resided. One member, Hans Hafner (1615-1684), gained recognition for his beautifully decorated tiles and stoneware products.

Moving into the 18th century, a notable HAFNER was Johann Michael Hafner, born in 1711 in Augsburg. He was a renowned painter and fresco artist, whose works adorned several churches and palaces throughout Bavaria and beyond.

Another important figure was Philipp Hafner, born in 1735 in Nuremberg, who was a highly skilled mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits.

While the HAFNER surname has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of Europe and the world through migration and diasporas. The name continues to be associated with skilled craftspeople, artisans, and those involved in various trades and professions related to pottery, metalworking, and other related fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hafner

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

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

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

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