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

Kendig, 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 Kendig surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kendig in America

Kendig is the 17087th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kendig surname appeared 1,661 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Kendig.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kendig 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 Kendig

The surname KENDIG is of German origin, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated in the region of Bavaria, where it was likely derived from the old German word "kennen," meaning "to know" or "to be familiar with." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was considered knowledgeable or well-informed within their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KENDIG surname can be found in the Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where a certain Hans Kendig is mentioned in a local record from the year 1492. This entry provides valuable insight into the longevity of the name and its presence in the region during the late 15th century.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Kendich, Kendiger, and Kendigk. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and the preferences of individual scribes who recorded the name in official documents.

In the 16th century, the KENDIG surname gained recognition through the works of the German Protestant reformer Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560), who mentioned a scholar named Johannes Kendig in his writings. This reference not only demonstrates the widespread use of the name but also suggests its association with education and scholarly pursuits.

During the 17th century, the KENDIG surname found its way to the New World, with the arrival of German immigrants in the American colonies. One notable example is that of Matthias Kendig, who was born in Germany in 1665 and later settled in Pennsylvania, where he established a successful farming community known as Kendig's Square.

Another significant figure bearing the KENDIG name was Johann Georg Kendig (1736-1810), a German composer and organist who made significant contributions to the development of sacred music in his time. His works were widely performed and appreciated throughout Europe, further cementing the name's association with artistic and cultural achievements.

In the 19th century, the KENDIG surname gained prominence in the United States, with several notable individuals making their mark. Among them was Samuel Kendig (1811-1891), a prominent businessman and philanthropist from Pennsylvania, who was instrumental in establishing the Kendig Memorial Hospital in his hometown.

As time passed, the KENDIG name continued to spread across various regions, with families bearing this surname contributing to diverse fields such as academia, politics, and the arts. However, the historical records and accounts presented here provide a glimpse into the rich heritage and evolution of this surname, which has endured for centuries and continues to hold significance in various parts of the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kendig

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

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

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

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