Henner
A German surname derived from a pet form of the given name Heinrich.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 377 Americans carry the last name Henner. That puts it at #63,873 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.11 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 909,163 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Henner 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
377
1 in 909,163
Census rank
#63,873
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
312
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 312 bearers of the surname Henner in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 63873rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Henner, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.4%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Henner
The surname Henner has its origins in the German language and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of Germany, where it was likely derived from the Old German word "henne," meaning "chicken" or "hen."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Henner can be found in the town records of Lübeck, a historic city in northern Germany, dating back to the late 1500s. These records document the presence of several families bearing the Henner surname, suggesting that the name had already established itself in the region by that time.
In the 17th century, the Henner surname began to spread throughout other parts of Germany, with various local variations in spelling, such as Hener, Hehner, and Henner. This was a common occurrence during that era, as standardized spelling conventions were not yet widely adopted.
One notable historical figure bearing the Henner surname was Johann Gottfried Henner (1685-1754), a German theologian and philosopher who served as a professor at the University of Halle. His writings on ethics and moral philosophy were widely influential during the Age of Enlightenment.
Another prominent individual with this surname was Carl Wilhelm Henner (1784-1864), a German painter and engraver known for his landscapes and historical scenes. His works were exhibited throughout Europe and are now held in various museum collections.
In the 19th century, the Henner name gained international recognition through the accomplishments of Jean-Jacques Henner (1829-1905), a French painter of German descent. Henner was renowned for his masterful depictions of the female form and his use of soft, hazy lighting. Several of his works can be found in the Louvre and other prestigious art museums.
Other notable individuals with the Henner surname include Friedrich Henner (1786-1868), a German jurist and legal scholar who made significant contributions to the development of German civil law, and Katharina Henner (1888-1978), a German composer and pianist celebrated for her modernist compositions.
While the Henner surname originated in Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and intermarriage. However, its roots can be traced back to the northern regions of Germany, where it emerged as a distinctive surname several centuries ago.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Henner
Among Census respondents with the surname Henner, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.4%.
The bar chart below shows how Henner 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 Henner surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.4%
- Unknown or suppressed2.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Henner 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #46,426 | #63,873 | -37.6% |
| Count | 432 | 312 | -27.8% |
| Per 100K | 0.16 | 0.11 | -31.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Henner bearers went from 432 to 312 (-27.8% change). The surname moved down 17,447 positions in the national ranking, going from #46,426 to #63,873.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Henner
FAQ
Henner surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Henner?
The surname Henner holds position #63,873 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 377 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Henner surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Henner, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.4%. 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.