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

Klingensmith, 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 Klingensmith surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Klingensmith in America

Klingensmith is the 9186th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Klingensmith surname appeared 3,551 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 Klingensmith.

We can also compare 2010 data for Klingensmith 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 Klingensmith

The surname Klingensmith is of German origin and can be traced back to the 14th century. It is believed to have originated in the southern regions of Germany, particularly in the areas around the Rhine River. The name is derived from the German words "klingen," meaning "blade," and "schmied," meaning "smith" or "blacksmith." Thus, the name Klingensmith loosely translates to "blade smith" or "sword maker."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Klingensmith can be found in the town records of Heidelberg, Germany, dating back to the late 1300s. In these records, a blacksmith named Hans Klingensmith was mentioned as a resident of the town. It is likely that the name was initially an occupational surname, given to individuals who specialized in the craft of making blades and swords.

Throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, the Klingensmith surname appeared in various German historical records and manuscripts. Some notable individuals bearing this name include Peter Klingensmith (1525-1592), a renowned swordsmith from Solingen, Germany, who was renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative techniques.

As the centuries passed, the Klingensmith surname spread across Germany and into neighboring countries. In the 18th century, Johann Klingensmith (1712-1783), a skilled metalworker from Nuremberg, gained recognition for his intricate work on armor and weaponry. His grandson, Wilhelm Klingensmith (1758-1831), was a respected historian and scholar who authored several books on the history of German metalworking and weaponry.

In the 19th century, the Klingensmith surname began to appear in records outside of Germany. One notable figure was Anna Klingensmith (1832-1912), a pioneer woman from Bavaria who immigrated to the United States and settled in the state of Ohio. Her memoirs, which documented her journey and experiences as a settler, are considered valuable historical accounts of life on the American frontier.

Another prominent individual with the Klingensmith surname was Karl Klingensmith (1871-1946), a German-born engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early automobiles. He worked for several major automotive companies, including Daimler and Ford, and held numerous patents for his innovative designs.

While the Klingensmith surname has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, the name's connection to the art of blade-making and metalworking remains an integral part of its historical significance and cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Klingensmith

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

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

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

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