Kunst
A German surname derived from the word for "art" or "artistic skill".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,268 Americans carry the last name Kunst. That puts it at #23,268 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.37 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 270,311 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kunst 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
1.3K
1 in 270,311
Census rank
#23,268
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,095 bearers of the surname Kunst in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.37 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 23268th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kunst, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kunst
The surname Kunst originates from Germany and the Netherlands, emerging around the 13th century. It is derived from the Middle Low German word "kunst," meaning "skill" or "craft," suggesting that the name may have been an occupational name for a skilled artisan or craftsman.
In medieval times, the name Kunst appeared in various records and documents across Germanic regions. One of the earliest recorded instances dates back to 1290, when a certain Henricus Kunst was mentioned in the records of the city of Cologne.
Another notable early reference can be found in the 14th century Germersheim Codex, a collection of legal texts and documents from the region of Palatinate. This codex mentions a Cunrad Kunst, who was likely a prominent figure in the local community.
The name Kunst has also been associated with various place names throughout its history. For instance, the village of Kunstberg in the Rhineland region of Germany is believed to be derived from the surname Kunst, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this name in the area.
Several historical figures have borne the surname Kunst, including Johann Kunst (1518-1592), a German composer and organist who served as the Kapellmeister at the court of Saxony. Another notable individual was Hans Kunst (c. 1500-1560), a German painter and engraver from Nuremberg, known for his intricate woodcuts and engravings.
In the Netherlands, one of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kunst can be traced back to the 16th century. Hendrick Kunst (c. 1520-1590) was a Dutch painter and engraver active in Amsterdam, renowned for his landscapes and portraits.
Later, in the 17th century, Johannes Kunst (1624-1693) was a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his still life paintings and genre scenes. He was a member of the renowned Leiden painters' guild.
Another prominent figure bearing the surname Kunst was Johann Heinrich Kunst (1728-1800), a German engraver and etcher from Berlin. His intricate etchings and engravings depicting scenes from classical mythology and literature were highly regarded during his time.
Overall, the surname Kunst has a rich history rooted in the skilled crafts and arts of medieval and early modern Europe, particularly in German and Dutch regions. Its association with various artisans, painters, engravers, and musicians reflects the significance of this name in the cultural and artistic spheres throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kunst
Among Census respondents with the surname Kunst, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Kunst 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 Kunst surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.7%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races2.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.6%
- Unknown or suppressed0.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kunst 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #23,191 | #23,268 | -0.3% |
| Count | 1,027 | 1,095 | 6.6% |
| Per 100K | 0.38 | 0.37 | -2.6% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Kunst bearers went from 1,027 to 1,095 (+6.6% change). The surname moved down 77 positions in the national ranking, going from #23,191 to #23,268.
FAQ
Kunst surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kunst?
The surname Kunst holds position #23,268 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,268 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.37 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kunst surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kunst, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (2.4%). 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.