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

Hildebrandt, 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 Hildebrandt surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hildebrandt in America

Hildebrandt is the 6273rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hildebrandt surname appeared 5,448 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 Hildebrandt.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hildebrandt 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 Hildebrandt

The surname Hildebrandt has its origins in Germany, tracing back to the medieval period. It is a compound name derived from the Germanic elements "hild" meaning battle, and "brand" meaning sword or flame. Thus, the name literally translates to "battle-sword" or "fiery battle," suggesting a warrior or military connection.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hildebrandt name is found in the 13th century, in the chronicles of the town of Lübeck in northern Germany. The name is mentioned as Hildebrandus, referring to a prominent merchant family in the area. Over time, various spellings emerged, including Hildebrand, Hilbrand, and eventually Hildebrandt.

In the 14th century, the Hildebrandt name appeared in official records in the region of Saxony, where it is believed to have originated. One notable example is Johann Hildebrandt, a wealthy landowner and burgher in the city of Leipzig, who lived from around 1340 to 1405.

The Hildebrandt name gained further prominence in the 16th century, with the rise of the Reformation movement in Germany. One notable figure was Joachim Hildebrandt, a Lutheran pastor and theologian from Saxony, who lived from 1523 to 1588. He was known for his influential writings on Protestant doctrine and his involvement in the religious debates of the time.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, several Hildebrandt individuals made significant contributions in various fields. Hans Hildebrandt (1599-1672) was a renowned German painter and engraver, known for his intricate landscapes and architectural illustrations. Another notable figure was Philipp Friedrich Hildebrandt (1664-1738), a German architect who worked extensively in Vienna and is celebrated for his baroque and rococo designs, including the Belvedere Palace.

In the 19th century, Eduard Hildebrandt (1818-1868) was a prominent German explorer and naturalist, who conducted extensive research in South America and contributed significantly to the field of botany. His work on the flora of the Amazon region was highly influential.

As the Hildebrandt name spread across Germany and beyond, it has been associated with notable individuals in various fields, from academics and artists to politicians and entrepreneurs. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval Germany, its rich history and diverse representations continue to shape its meaning and significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hildebrandt

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

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

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

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