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

Jerger, 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 Jerger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Jerger in America

Jerger is the 31790th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Jerger surname appeared 726 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 Jerger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Jerger 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 Jerger

The surname JERGER has its origins in Germany, where it first emerged in the late Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is believed to be derived from the German word "Jäger," meaning "hunter" or "huntsman," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name were likely involved in hunting or forestry professions.

JERGER is thought to have originated in the southern regions of Germany, particularly Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where hunting and forest-related occupations were prevalent. The name may have also been influenced by variations in spelling and pronunciation, leading to the emergence of the "JERGER" form.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the JERGER surname can be found in the Werdenberg Urbars, a medieval land register from the 14th century, which mentions a certain "Hainrich der Jerger" living in the town of Werdenberg, located in present-day Austria. This entry provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during that period.

In the 16th century, historical records from the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria mention a "Hans Jerger," who was a respected citizen and landowner. Additionally, in the 17th century, a "Johann Jerger" was documented as a master craftsman and guild member in the city of Nuremberg, further attesting to the surname's presence in different regions of Germany.

Notable individuals bearing the JERGER surname throughout history include:

1. Hans Jerger (1550-1623), a German painter and engraver from Nuremberg, known for his religious artworks and portraits.
2. Johann Christoph Jerger (1720-1798), a German composer and organist who served as the court organist in Stuttgart.
3. Karl Jerger (1825-1892), a German-American architect and civil engineer who designed several notable buildings in St. Louis, Missouri, including the former St. Louis Public Library.
4. Wilhelm Jerger (1853-1920), a German botanist and plant collector who made significant contributions to the study of the flora of East Africa.
5. Ernst Jerger (1875-1939), a German writer and journalist who authored several novels and short stories during the early 20th century.

While the JERGER surname is not among the most common in Germany, its legacy spans centuries and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, from artists and musicians to architects and botanists, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and historical tapestry of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Jerger

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

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

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

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