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

Lauf, 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 Lauf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lauf in America

Lauf is the 58876th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lauf surname appeared 344 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Lauf.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lauf 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 Lauf

The surname LAUF is of German origin, tracing its roots back to the 14th century. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "loufen," meaning "to run" or "to walk quickly." It likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who was known for their speed or agility.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname LAUF can be found in the Württembergisches Urkundenbuch, a collection of historical documents from the region of Württemberg in southwestern Germany, dating back to the year 1348. The entry mentions a certain "Cunrat Louf" from the town of Esslingen.

In the late 15th century, the name LAUF appeared in the Reichsteuerlisten, a tax register maintained by the Holy Roman Empire. Here, a "Hans Lauf" from the city of Nuremberg is listed as a taxpayer in the year 1497.

During the 16th century, the surname LAUF gained prominence with the birth of Philipp LAUF (1516-1583), a German theologian and Reformer who was a close associate of Martin Luther. Philipp LAUF was a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation and played a significant role in the spread of Lutheran teachings in Germany.

Another notable bearer of the surname LAUF was Johann Friedrich LAUF (1681-1756), a German artist and engraver from Nuremberg. His copper engravings and etchings, depicting religious and historical scenes, were highly regarded during his lifetime and are now considered valuable works of art.

In the 19th century, the name LAUF was associated with Johann Nepomuk LAUF (1803-1875), a German Catholic priest and author who wrote extensively on religious subjects. His most famous work, "Das ewige Licht" (The Eternal Light), was a popular devotional book that went through multiple editions.

The surname LAUF has also been linked to several place names in Germany, such as the town of Lauf an der Pegnitz in Bavaria, which was first mentioned in historical records in the 12th century. The name "Lauf" in this context is believed to be derived from the Old High German word "louph," meaning "a flowing stream" or "a small river."

Throughout its history, the surname LAUF has been found across various regions of Germany, particularly in areas like Württemberg, Bavaria, and Franconia. While not as widespread as some other German surnames, it has a rich heritage and continues to be carried by families with deep roots in the country's past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lauf

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

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

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

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