Koosman
A Dutch surname derived from the personal name "Koos", a nickname form of Jacob.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Koosman. That puts it at #127,494 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Koosman 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
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#127,494
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
134
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 134 bearers of the surname Koosman in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 127494th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Koosman, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.5%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Koosman
The surname KOOSMAN has its origins in the Netherlands, specifically in the northern region of Friesland. Originating in the late 16th century, it is believed to be derived from the Dutch word "koos," which means "cool" or "chilly," and the suffix "-man," referring to a person or individual. This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone who had a cool or calm demeanor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the KOOSMAN name dates back to the Dutch village of Wolvega in the year 1587, where it appears in a local parish register. It is also found in historical documents from the nearby towns of Heerenveen and Dokkum during the 17th century.
A notable figure bearing the KOOSMAN name was Pieter Koosman, a Dutch merchant and ship owner who lived in the city of Haarlem from 1621 to 1692. Records indicate that he played a significant role in the maritime trade between the Netherlands and various European ports.
In the 18th century, the name KOOSMAN appears in the municipal archives of Amsterdam, where it is associated with a family of prosperous brewers. One member of this family, Jan Koosman (1734-1795), is recorded as having served as a city councilor in Amsterdam during the latter part of his life.
As the Dutch began to establish colonies in the Americas and other parts of the world, the KOOSMAN name also spread to these regions. In the 19th century, a prominent figure named Dirk Koosman (1812-1887) was a successful farmer and landowner in the Dutch Cape Colony, which is now part of South Africa.
Another individual of note was Johanna Koosman (1841-1923), a Dutch-American author and journalist who wrote extensively about the experiences of Dutch immigrants in the United States. She was born in the Netherlands but later settled in New York City, where she became a influential voice in the local Dutch community.
Throughout its history, the KOOSMAN surname has maintained a strong presence in the Netherlands and among Dutch diaspora communities around the world. While not a particularly common name, it has been borne by individuals across various professions and walks of life, from merchants and farmers to writers and public servants.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Koosman
Among Census respondents with the surname Koosman, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.5%.
The bar chart below shows how Koosman 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 Koosman surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White98.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Koosman 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 | #127,494 | #127,494 | 0.0% |
| Count | 134 | 134 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Koosman bearers went from 134 to 134 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #127,494 to #127,494.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Koosman
FAQ
Koosman surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Koosman?
The surname Koosman holds position #127,494 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Koosman surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Koosman, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.5%. 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.