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

Litner, 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 Litner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Litner in America

Litner is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Litner surname appeared 127 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 Litner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Litner 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 Litner

The surname "Litner" is believed to have originated in Germany, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word "liten," which means "to go" or "to travel," suggesting that the name may have been initially associated with those who frequently traveled or migrated from one place to another.

One of the earliest known references to the name "Litner" can be found in a manuscript from the town of Freiburg, located in the present-day state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This document, dated around 1290, mentions a certain "Hans Litner," who was a merchant and landowner in the region.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records across parts of southern Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria and Swabia. During this period, the spelling of the name varied slightly, with forms such as "Lytner," "Littnere," and "Lyttner" being observed.

One notable individual bearing the name "Litner" was Johann Litner, a prominent scholar and theologian who lived in the late 15th century. Born in the town of Augsburg in 1462, Litner studied at the University of Heidelberg and later became a professor of theology at the University of Ingolstadt.

Another figure of historical significance was Konrad Litner, a German composer and organist who lived in the 16th century. Born in Nuremberg in 1520, Litner is known for his contributions to sacred music, particularly his compositions for the Lutheran church.

Moving into the 17th century, the name "Litner" can be found in connection with several villages and towns in the region of Franconia, located in northern Bavaria. One such place is the village of Litnersdorf, which derives its name from the Litner family who once resided there.

In the 18th century, a notable individual named Johann Litner gained recognition as a skilled craftsman and clockmaker. Born in the town of Augsburg in 1712, Litner's intricate and beautifully crafted clocks were highly sought after by wealthy patrons throughout Europe.

As the name spread beyond Germany, it can be found in various other European countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and even as far as Russia. One notable individual was Peter Litner, a Russian military officer who served in the Imperial Russian Army during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century.

Throughout its history, the surname "Litner" has maintained a strong presence in various regions of Germany, with families bearing this name continuing to contribute to the cultural and economic fabric of their communities. While the exact origins of the name may be shrouded in the mists of time, its enduring legacy serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of German heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Litner

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

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

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

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