Korsmo
A Norwegian surname originating from a farmstead name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 446 Americans carry the last name Korsmo. That puts it at #53,316 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.13 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 768,507 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Korsmo 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
446
1 in 768,507
Census rank
#53,316
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
388
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 388 bearers of the surname Korsmo in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 53316th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Korsmo, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Korsmo
The surname KORSMO is of Norwegian origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from a farm or village named Korsmo in the western region of Norway, specifically in the county of Møre og Romsdal.
The name KORSMO is likely a compound word derived from the Old Norse elements "kross" (meaning "cross") and "mo" (meaning "sandy plain" or "heath"). This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a location marked by a cross or a cruciform shape on a sandy plain or heathland.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the KORSMO name can be found in the Diplom Norvegicum, a collection of medieval Norwegian diplomas and documents dating back to the 13th century. In this collection, a person named Thorstein Korsmo is mentioned in a document from the year 1299.
In the 16th century, a man named Olav Korsmo was recorded as a farmer and landowner in the parish of Herøy, located in the county of Møre og Romsdal. This suggests that the KORSMO surname had already been established as a prominent family name in the region by that time.
One notable historical figure with the KORSMO surname was Hans Korsmo (1868-1953), a Norwegian playwright and novelist. He was born in Kristiansund, Norway, and is best known for his works depicting life in rural Norway, such as the novel "Børten" (1908).
Another individual of note was Ivar Korsmo (1857-1940), a Norwegian engineer and industrialist. He played a significant role in the development of Norway's hydroelectric power industry and was the founder of the company Korsmo Fabrikker, which produced electrical equipment and machinery.
In the 19th century, a man named Ole Korsmo (1812-1890) was recorded as a farmer and landowner in the parish of Haram, also located in Møre og Romsdal county. This further reinforces the longstanding presence of the KORSMO surname in this region of Norway.
While the KORSMO name is primarily associated with Norway, it has also been carried by individuals in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and immigration. For example, there are records of individuals with the KORSMO surname in the United States, Canada, and other countries with significant Norwegian diaspora communities.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Korsmo
Among Census respondents with the surname Korsmo, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Korsmo 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 Korsmo surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.1%
- Hispanic or Latino1.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Korsmo 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 | #53,316 | #53,316 | 0.0% |
| Count | 388 | 388 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Korsmo bearers went from 388 to 388 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #53,316 to #53,316.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Korsmo
FAQ
Korsmo surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Korsmo?
The surname Korsmo holds position #53,316 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 446 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Korsmo surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Korsmo, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%). 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.