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

Hilfiger, 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 Hilfiger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hilfiger in America

Hilfiger is the 90495th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hilfiger surname appeared 204 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Hilfiger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hilfiger 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 Hilfiger

The surname Hilfiger is of German origin, with its roots traced back to the early 18th century. It is believed to have originated from the German word "hilfe," meaning "help" or "aid," combined with the suffix "-iger," which denotes a person engaged in a particular activity or occupation.

The earliest known record of the Hilfiger name dates back to 1712, when it appeared in the church records of a small village near Frankfurt, Germany. The name was likely derived from an ancestor who worked as a helper or assistant in various trades or professions.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Hilfiger family spread across various regions of Germany, with some members migrating to neighboring countries like Switzerland and Austria. In the early 1800s, a branch of the Hilfiger family settled in the town of Weinheim, located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, where they established themselves as respected craftsmen and tradespeople.

One notable individual bearing the Hilfiger name was Johann Hilfiger (1789-1867), a master carpenter who gained recognition for his exceptional woodworking skills and intricate furniture designs. His son, Wilhelm Hilfiger (1821-1892), followed in his footsteps and became a renowned cabinetmaker, creating exquisite pieces for wealthy patrons throughout the region.

Another prominent figure was Anna Hilfiger (1832-1912), a philanthropist known for her charitable work and contributions to various social causes in the city of Stuttgart. She established a shelter for homeless women and children, which operated for several decades and provided assistance to those in need.

In the late 19th century, the Hilfiger family began to spread beyond Germany, with some members emigrating to the United States and other parts of the world. One such individual was Heinrich Hilfiger (1854-1928), who settled in Philadelphia and became a successful businessman, establishing a thriving import-export company that dealt in textiles and fine goods from Europe.

As the Hilfiger name continued to spread, it gained recognition in various fields, including literature and academia. One notable figure was Dr. Wilhelm Hilfiger (1876-1954), a renowned linguist and professor at the University of Munich, who made significant contributions to the study of Germanic languages and their historical development.

Throughout its history, the surname Hilfiger has maintained a strong presence across various regions of Germany and beyond, with individuals bearing this name leaving their mark in various professions and fields of endeavor.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hilfiger

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

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

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

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