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

Herren, 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 Herren surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Herren in America

Herren is the 7463rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Herren surname appeared 4,466 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 Herren.

We can also compare 2010 data for Herren 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 Herren

The surname Herren has its origins in Germany, where it emerged in the Middle Ages, likely around the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "herre," meaning "lord" or "master." This word in turn stems from the Old High German "herro," which has its roots in the Proto-Germanic "heriz" or "hers," meaning "head" or "chief."

In its earliest form, the name was likely used as a title or descriptor for someone of authority, such as a landowner or nobleman. Over time, it transitioned into a hereditary surname, passed down from generation to generation. The name may have also been adopted by those who worked or lived on the land of a "herre" or lord.

Early records of the name can be found in various medieval documents and manuscripts, including the Codex Diplomaticus Anhaltinus from the 13th century, which mentions individuals with the surname Herren. Additionally, the Liber Censuum Episcopatus Bambergensis, a 14th-century census of the Bamberg Diocese, contains entries for several Herren families.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Herren was Konrad Herren, a knight and landowner who lived in the Rhineland region of Germany in the late 12th century. Another notable figure was Johannes Herren, a scholar and theologian who lived in the 15th century and was a prominent figure at the University of Heidelberg.

In the 16th century, the name appears in connection with the German Reformation. Hans Herren, a Lutheran pastor born in 1502, was a close associate of Martin Luther and played a role in the spread of Protestant teachings in central Germany.

The 17th century saw the rise of Johann Herren, a renowned jurist and legal scholar who served as a judge in the Imperial Chamber Court (Reichskammergericht) in the city of Speyer. His legal writings and rulings were widely influential during his time.

Another notable figure was Karl Herren, an 18th-century architect and builder who was responsible for the construction of several churches and public buildings in the Swabian region of southwestern Germany. His work showcased the Baroque architectural style popular during that era.

As the name spread beyond Germany, it took on various spellings and variations, such as Herring, Hering, and Härring, reflecting local linguistic influences and adaptations. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remained rooted in the concept of lordship or authority.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Herren

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

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

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

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