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

Leffler, 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 Leffler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Leffler in America

Leffler is the 6542nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Leffler surname appeared 5,176 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Leffler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Leffler 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 Leffler

The surname Leffler is of German origin, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "leffeln," which means "to spoon," suggesting a possible connection to the occupation of a spoon-maker or someone involved in the production or sale of spoons.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval documents and manuscripts from the Rhineland region of Germany, dating back to the 13th century. Here, the name appears in various spellings, such as "Leffeler" and "Leffler."

During the 15th century, the name Leffler gained prominence in the German state of Saxony, particularly in the city of Leipzig. Historical records from this period mention several Leffler families residing in the region, some of whom held positions of influence within the local guilds and trade associations.

In the 16th century, the name Leffler began to spread beyond the borders of Germany as families migrated to other parts of Europe. One notable individual bearing this name was Johannes Leffler (1516-1589), a German theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation movement.

As the centuries passed, the Leffler surname continued to be found in various parts of Europe, with notable individuals emerging in various fields. One such figure was Johann Leffler (1732-1810), a German mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.

Another prominent bearer of the Leffler name was Gösta Mittag-Leffler (1846-1927), a Swedish mathematician renowned for his work in complex analysis and the theory of functions. He established the prestigious Mittag-Leffler Institute, which continues to be a leading research center in mathematics to this day.

In the realm of literature, August Leffler (1839-1912) was a Swedish author and playwright who gained recognition for his works exploring social issues and the lives of the working class. His plays were widely performed and acclaimed during his lifetime.

The Leffler surname also found its way to America, with several individuals making their mark in various fields. One notable example is Edmond Leffler (1889-1976), an American engineer and inventor who played a crucial role in the development of early television technology.

Throughout its history, the surname Leffler has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience and the enduring legacy of this name across generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Leffler

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

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

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

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