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

Helger, 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 Helger surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Helger in America

Helger is the 135837th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Helger surname appeared 114 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 Helger.

The history of the last name Helger

The surname Helger primarily originates from the regions of Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia and Germany. The roots of the name can be traced back to the Old Norse and Old High German languages, where "helga" or "heilagr" carries the meaning of "holy" or "blessed". This suggests that the initial bearers of the name might have been linked to religious or revered positions within their communities.

In Scandinavia, the name is closely associated with areas in modern-day Sweden and Denmark. The Old Norse influence is evident in the name's etymology, and it is likely that the name was used to denote a person of significant spirituality or sanctity. The Germanic regions, specifically areas within what is now Germany, saw a similar use of the name, derived from the Old High German word "helaga".

One of the earliest references to the surname Helger appears in medieval German records from the 13th century. A notable historical figure was Johannes Helger, a monk recorded in a 13th-century monastery manuscript from the region of Baden-Württemberg. His contributions to the monastic community were significant, particularly in manuscript preservation and transcription.

In Sweden, Lars Helger, born in 1584 in Västra Götaland, was known for his work as a local chieftain and diplomat. His efforts in mediating conflicts between local tribes were documented in several early 17th-century chronicles, showcasing the name's association with leadership and negotiation.

By the 15th century, the Helger surname had spread to Denmark. Records from 1456 mention Ingrid Helger, a woman who was a prominent landowner in Jutland. Her management of estates and involvement in local governance were remarkable for a woman of her time, reflecting the name's connection to influential and respected individuals.

In the 17th century, Helger took root in northern Germany with the emergence of Heinrich Helger, born in 1623 in Hamburg. Heinrich was a noted merchant and civic leader, whose business dealings extended to the Hanseatic League, significantly impacting the trade networks in the Baltic Sea region.

By the 18th century, the name had made its way to the rural areas of Norway. Knut Helger, born in 1702 in Telemark, was known for his pioneering work in agricultural improvements and land reforms, which were instrumental in improving the region's productivity and stability.

These historical references and notable figures highlight the surname Helger's enduring presence and the contributions of its bearers across Northern Europe. The name's deep-rooted associations with holiness, leadership, and community influence continue to be a testament to its storied past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Helger

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

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

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

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