Ligtenberg
A locational surname referring to someone from a town or area called Ligtenberg.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Ligtenberg. That puts it at #98,553 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Ligtenberg 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
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#98,553
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
184
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 184 bearers of the surname Ligtenberg in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 98553rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Ligtenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Ligtenberg
The surname Ligtenberg is of Dutch origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages in the Netherlands. The name is derived from a combination of the Dutch words "ligt" meaning "situated" and "berg" meaning "hill" or "mountain." This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived near a hill or a mountain.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Ligtenberg can be found in historical documents from the 15th century, particularly in the regions of Gelderland and Overijssel in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is believed that the name originated as a topographic surname, indicating that the first bearers of the name lived in or near a settlement with a similar name.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Ligtenberg was Adriaan Ligtenberg (c. 1540-1610), a Dutch painter and engraver from Amsterdam. His works were influential in the development of Dutch Golden Age painting and engraving techniques.
In the 17th century, the name Ligtenberg can be found in various records from the Dutch East India Company (VOC), suggesting that some individuals with this surname were involved in the Dutch colonial ventures in Asia.
Another prominent figure with the surname Ligtenberg was Jan Ligtenberg (1725-1801), a Dutch military officer who served in the Dutch East Indies and played a significant role in the Dutch-Javanese War of 1786-1787.
During the 19th century, the Ligtenberg name appeared in several historical records from the Netherlands, including birth, marriage, and death registers. One notable individual from this period was Pieter Ligtenberg (1829-1891), a Dutch politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives for the district of Haarlem.
In the 20th century, the name Ligtenberg continued to be present in the Netherlands, with individuals like Willem Ligtenberg (1902-1984), a Dutch artist known for his landscape paintings and etchings.
Overall, the surname Ligtenberg has a rich history rooted in the Dutch culture and geography, with various individuals bearing this name leaving their mark in various fields, including art, military, and politics.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Ligtenberg
Among Census respondents with the surname Ligtenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Ligtenberg 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 Ligtenberg surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.0%
- Two or more races5.4%
- Unknown or suppressed0.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Ligtenberg 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 | #91,404 | #98,553 | -7.8% |
| Count | 187 | 184 | -1.6% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.06 | -14.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Ligtenberg bearers went from 187 to 184 (-1.6% change). The surname moved down 7,149 positions in the national ranking, going from #91,404 to #98,553.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Ligtenberg
FAQ
Ligtenberg surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Ligtenberg?
The surname Ligtenberg holds position #98,553 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Ligtenberg surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Ligtenberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.4%). 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.