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

Ilgen, 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 Ilgen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ilgen in America

Ilgen is the 66754th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ilgen surname appeared 296 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 Ilgen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ilgen 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 Ilgen

The surname ILGEN is of German origin, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Saxony, where it was likely derived from the old German word "ilgen," meaning "noble" or "distinguished." This surname was often given to individuals who held positions of respect or authority within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ILGEN surname can be found in the annals of the city of Leipzig, where a merchant named Hans ILGEN is mentioned in a trade document dated 1547. This suggests that the name had already gained recognition and was in use among the merchant class of the region during that time period.

In the late 17th century, a German scholar named Johann Christoph ILGEN (1648-1726) gained recognition for his work on theological texts and sermons. His contributions to the field of religious studies helped to solidify the ILGEN name within academic circles of the era.

During the 18th century, the ILGEN surname began to spread beyond the borders of Germany. Records from this period indicate that a family bearing the name had established itself in the Netherlands, with a notable member named Pieter ILGEN (1715-1786) serving as a respected merchant and civic leader in the city of Amsterdam.

As the 19th century dawned, the ILGEN name gained further prominence with the birth of Karl Friedrich ILGEN (1786-1856), a German philologist and professor at the University of Halle. His work on ancient Greek literature and philosophy earned him widespread acclaim and helped to cement the ILGEN name within the realm of academia.

Another noteworthy figure bearing the ILGEN surname was Christian Friedrich ILGEN (1786-1844), a German theologian and philosopher who made significant contributions to the study of Christian ethics and moral philosophy during the early 19th century.

While the ILGEN surname has its origins in Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by individuals and families who have sought new opportunities or emigrated for various reasons. However, the name's rich history and connections to esteemed scholars, merchants, and civic leaders remain an integral part of its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ilgen

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

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

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

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