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

Ka'ier, 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 Ka'ier surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ka'ier in America

Ka'ier is the 130443rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ka'ier surname appeared 120 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ka'ier.

The history of the last name Ka'ier

The surname Kaier is believed to have its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in areas that are now part of modern Germany and Austria. The name likely emerged during the Medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name Kaier is thought to derive from the German word "Kaiser," which means "emperor," and would have been a name conferred either through occupational association or as a nickname.

The earliest references to the surname Kaier can be traced to records from the Holy Roman Empire, a vast and varied political entity that covered much of Central Europe from the early Middle Ages until its dissolution in 1806. Historical documents from the 13th century reference individuals with similar spellings, such as "Kayer" and "Kaier," indicating the name's presence in the German-speaking aristocracy and burgher classes.

One notable historical figure bearing the Kaier surname was Johann Kaier, who appears in records from the early 14th century. Johann was a minor noble in the region of Bavaria and is known to have been involved in local governmental duties. Another early mention of the surname comes from an ecclesiastical record dated 1385, indicating a Monika Kaier who served as a prioress in a convent located in what is now southern Germany.

As the Holy Roman Empire expanded and contracted over centuries, members of the Kaier family spread to different regions within the Germanic territories, adapting to various local cultures and dialects. In 1452, a Hans Kaier was documented as owning substantial lands in Austria, close to the modern city of Vienna. This family line was known for their contributions to local political councils and were influential in the development of commerce in the region.

During the 16th century, the Kaier name surfaces in church and tax records in Switzerland. The Swiss Kaier family were primarily merchants and artisans. One well-documented individual is Peter Kaier, born in 1578, who became a well-known clockmaker in the canton of Zürich. His clocks were highly sought after across Europe, marking the Kaier name as one associated with craftsmanship and quality.

The 17th century saw the Kaier family becoming more international, partly due to the Thirty Years' War which caused significant displacement across Europe. By the late 1600s, evidence of the Kaier surname appears sporadically in regions such as the Netherlands and Scandinavia. One individual of note is Ursula Kaier, born in 1645 in what is now Belgium, who is recorded as having married into the Dutch aristocracy, suggesting the name had crossed into influential circles outside the Germanic regions.

Another significant figure in the 18th century was Friedrich Kaier, born in 1732, who became a noted philosophical writer during the Enlightenment. His works tackled the intersections of science and religion, earning him a place among the intellectuals of his time. Friedrich’s writings have been preserved in various European libraries, making him one of the more famous historical bearers of the Kaier name.

Over time, the usage and adaptation of the name Kaier have evolved, but it has consistently remained connected to its Germanic roots. While the name is less common today, those who bear it can trace a lineage of nobility, craftsmanship, and intellectual contribution stretching back through the annals of European history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ka'ier

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ka'ier.

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ka'ier 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.

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 Ka'ier was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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