Hurwitz
A Jewish surname derived from the Yiddish word "hurv," meaning "ruins," likely referring to a town of origin.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,393 Americans carry the last name Hurwitz. That puts it at #10,851 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.99 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 101,018 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Hurwitz 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
3.4K
1 in 101,018
Census rank
#10,851
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,935 bearers of the surname Hurwitz in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.99 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 10851st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Hurwitz, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.7%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Hurwitz
The surname Hurwitz originated from the Yiddish language and is derived from the Hebrew word "chur," meaning hole or pit. It first appeared in Eastern Europe, particularly in areas like Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, where there were sizable Jewish populations during the Middle Ages.
The earliest known record of the Hurwitz name dates back to the 16th century, but it's possible that variations of the spelling existed earlier. Some of these variations include Hurwic, Hurwich, and Hurewicz. The name may have been adopted by families living near a physical pit or hole, or it could have been an occupational surname given to those involved in digging or excavation work.
One of the earliest notable mentions of the Hurwitz name can be found in the Pinkas Hakehillot, a historical Jewish community record from the 17th century. This document references a Rabbi Shlomo Hurwitz, who lived in the town of Krakow, Poland.
In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Samuel Hurwitz (1718-1786) was born in Kraków, Poland. He was a noted Talmudic scholar and rabbinical authority, and his works were widely studied in Jewish communities throughout Europe.
During the 19th century, the Hurwitz name spread beyond Eastern Europe as many Jewish families emigrated to other parts of the world. One such individual was Shmuel Hurwitz (1840-1909), who was born in Ukraine and later became a respected rabbi in London, England.
Another notable Hurwitz was Zvi Hirsch Hurwitz (1856-1923), a Polish-born Hebrew writer and educator who lived in Palestine (now Israel) during the early stages of the Zionist movement.
In the 20th century, the name Hurwitz gained recognition in various fields. For example, Leo Hurwitz (1909-1991) was an American filmmaker and documentary producer known for his socially conscious works.
Overall, the surname Hurwitz has a rich history rooted in Eastern European Jewish communities, with records dating back several centuries. While its precise origin remains unclear, the name has been carried by numerous scholars, rabbis, and influential figures throughout the years.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Hurwitz
Among Census respondents with the surname Hurwitz, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.7%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Hurwitz 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 Hurwitz surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.7%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.2%
- Black or African American0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Hurwitz 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 | #9,889 | #10,851 | -9.7% |
| Count | 3,011 | 2,935 | -2.5% |
| Per 100K | 1.12 | 0.99 | -11.6% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Hurwitz bearers went from 3,011 to 2,935 (-2.5% change). The surname moved down 962 positions in the national ranking, going from #9,889 to #10,851.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Hurwitz
FAQ
Hurwitz surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Hurwitz?
The surname Hurwitz holds position #10,851 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,393 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.99 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Hurwitz surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Hurwitz, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.7%) and Two or More Races (1.5%). 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.