Kirshner
A surname originating from the German word for cherry, indicating an occupation related to cherries or cherry farming.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 583 Americans carry the last name Kirshner. That puts it at #42,640 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.17 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 587,915 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kirshner surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
583
1 in 587,915
Census rank
#42,640
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
508
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 508 bearers of the surname Kirshner in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 42640th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kirshner, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Black (1.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kirshner
The surname Kirshner is of German-Jewish origin, with its roots in the Yiddish language. It is derived from the word "kirschen," meaning "cherries," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name may have been associated with the cultivation or trade of cherries.
The name Kirshner can be traced back to the 16th century in various regions of Germany, particularly in the areas of Bavaria and Franconia. Historical records from this period, such as tax rolls and church registers, contain various spellings of the name, including Kirschner, Kirshner, and Kirschen.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Kirshner name appears in the Memorbuch (memorial book) of the Jewish community in Worms, Germany, dating back to the late 15th century. This document mentions a family by the name of Kirschner, indicating their presence in the region during that time.
In the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the Kirshner name was Rabbi Yehuda Leib Kirshner (1608-1677), a prominent Talmudic scholar and author who lived in Cracow, Poland. His works, including commentaries on the Talmud and Jewish law, were highly influential and widely studied in Jewish communities across Europe.
Another noteworthy individual with the Kirshner surname was Abraham Kirshner (1735-1809), a German-Jewish merchant and philanthropist from Fürth, Bavaria. He was known for his significant contributions to the local Jewish community and was instrumental in establishing several charitable institutions.
In the 19th century, the Kirshner name gained prominence in the field of medicine with the birth of Dr. Max Kirshner (1847-1916), a German physician and pioneer in the field of laryngology. He developed several medical instruments and techniques that revolutionized the treatment of throat and voice disorders.
As the Kirshner family spread across Europe and beyond, the name has been associated with various professions and achievements. Some other individuals of note include Abraham Kirshner (1889-1958), a Polish-American artist known for his Impressionist-style paintings, and David Kirshner (born 1957), an American film and television producer who has worked on several popular series and movies.
Over the centuries, the Kirshner surname has maintained its distinct German-Jewish identity, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and historical journey of its bearers.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kirshner
Among Census respondents with the surname Kirshner, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Black (1.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Kirshner bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Kirshner surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.3%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Black or African American1.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kirshner surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #42,640 | #42,640 | 0.0% |
| Count | 508 | 508 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kirshner bearers went from 508 to 508 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #42,640 to #42,640.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Kirshner
FAQ
Kirshner surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kirshner?
The surname Kirshner holds position #42,640 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 583 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kirshner surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kirshner, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Black (1.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.