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

Keener, 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 Keener surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Keener in America

Keener is the 2633rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Keener surname appeared 13,687 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Keener.

We can also compare 2010 data for Keener 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 Keener

The surname Keener has its origins in Germany, where it is believed to have emerged in the 14th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word "küene," which means "bold" or "brave." This suggests that the name may have originally been given to someone who exhibited these qualities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Keener is found in the town of Kühndorf, now known as Chvalšiny, in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. This area was part of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, and it is likely that the name originated here before spreading to other parts of Germany.

The Keener surname is also thought to be related to the German word "kühn," which means "daring" or "courageous." This further reinforces the idea that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who displayed bravery or boldness in their actions.

In the 15th century, a man named Hans Keener was recorded as a resident of the city of Nuremberg, which was a prominent center of trade and culture in the Holy Roman Empire. This early mention of the name in a major city suggests that the Keener family may have been involved in commerce or other influential pursuits.

One notable figure with the surname Keener was Johann Keener, a German theologian and reformer who lived from 1505 to 1559. He was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation and worked alongside Martin Luther in promoting the spread of Lutheran teachings.

Another individual of note was the German painter and engraver Friedrich Keener, who was born in 1782 and died in 1860. He was known for his intricate landscapes and cityscapes, and his works are still highly regarded in the art world today.

In the 19th century, the Keener surname also appeared in England, likely due to migration from Germany. One example is John Keener, an English cricketer who played for the Marylebone Cricket Club between 1815 and 1835.

While the name Keener is most commonly associated with Germany, it has also been found in other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands and Switzerland. This suggests that the name may have spread beyond its original German roots over the centuries.

Overall, the surname Keener has a rich history that can be traced back to medieval Germany, where it was likely associated with qualities of bravery and boldness. Its presence in various regions and its association with notable individuals throughout history reflect the widespread influence of this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Keener

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

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

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

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