Kumin last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Kumin

A surname derived from the Slovenian word meaning "cumin" or referring to a spice trader.

Kumin, 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 Kumin surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Kumin in America

Kumin is the 146011th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kumin surname appeared 104 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kumin.

The history of the last name Kumin

Originating from Central Europe, the surname Kumin carries a rich heritage that traces back to the medieval period, predominantly in regions that are now part of modern-day Switzerland and Germany. The name is believed to have originated around the 13th or 14th century. Early records indicate that the name was particularly concentrated in the Alemannic-speaking regions, an area characterized by a distinct dialect of German.

One of the earliest forms of the surname appeared in medieval manuscripts and old tax records where it was often written as Cumin or Kumen. These variations in spelling were common in an era when standardized spelling was not yet established. The name possibly derives from the German word Kümmel, which means caraway, a spice. Caraway was widely used in European cooking and medicinal practices, suggesting that the name could have been occupational, referring to someone who traded or farmed caraway.

Historical references to the surname Kumin can be traced back to church and land ownership records from the 15th century. Johann Kumin, born in 1473, is one of the earliest documented individuals with this surname. He was recorded as a landowner in what is now the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland. Another early mention is Hans Kumin, a tenant farmer listed in records from 1521 in Bavaria, Germany; he played a significant role in local agricultural practices of his time.

In the 17th century, the surname Kumin appeared in official registries and letters. Georg Kumin, born in 1590 and died in 1656, served as a minor official in the local government of Zurich, Switzerland. His correspondence with regional leaders provides insight into the governance and social structure of early modern Europe.

By the 18th century, the name Kumin was carried by individuals who played crucial roles in various European societies. Friedrich Kumin, born in 1712 in Basel, Switzerland, gained prominence as a merchant and his trade activities extended to neighboring regions, significantly impacting the local economy. Another notable figure includes Maria Kumin, born in 1765, who was known for her charitable work and contributions to local educational initiatives in Zurich.

By examining historical records, it is clear that the surname Kumin has a well-documented presence throughout European history, specifically within Switzerland and Germany. Each variation and individual associated with the name contributes to the understanding of its origin and significance. The legacy of the Kumin name is embedded in the regions and histories where it first emerged, continuing to be a marker of heritage and historical presence in Central Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kumin

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kumin was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 95.19% 99
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Kumin last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/kumin-surname-popularity/.

"Kumin last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/kumin-surname-popularity/. Accessed 2 May, 2025

Kumin last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/kumin-surname-popularity/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.