Litzsey
A surname possibly of Germanic origin with an uncertain meaning.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Litzsey. That puts it at #123,064 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Litzsey 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
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#123,064
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
140
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 140 bearers of the surname Litzsey in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 123064th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Litzsey, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.9%. The next largest groups are White (3.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Litzsey
The surname Litzsey is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locative name, derived from a specific place or region where the earliest bearers of the name resided.
One possible theory suggests that Litzsey may have evolved from the German word "Litz," which refers to a small brook or stream. This would indicate that the name's origins are linked to a place situated near a small watercourse.
Historical records mentioning the surname Litzsey are relatively scarce, but some references can be found in ancient documents and manuscripts from various regions of Germany. One notable example is the inclusion of a variation of the name, "Litzsee," in the Codex Diplomaticus Anhaltinus, a collection of historical documents from the former principality of Anhalt, dated around the 13th century.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Litzsey is believed to be from the late 15th century, when a man named Hans Litzsey was documented in the records of the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, in the Franconia region of present-day Bavaria.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the surname Litzsey. One such person was Johann Litzsey, a German soldier who fought in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and was mentioned in the chronicles of the conflict.
Another influential figure was Christoph Litzsey, a renowned artist and engraver who lived in the 17th century. His works, particularly his intricate etchings and engravings, are highly regarded and can be found in various art collections across Europe.
In the 18th century, a man named Friedrich Litzsey gained prominence as a respected scholar and philosopher. His writings on ethics and morality were widely read and discussed during his lifetime.
Moving into the 19th century, there was a notable Litzsey family involved in the brewing industry in the German state of Bavaria. The patriarch, Wilhelm Litzsey (1812-1892), established a successful brewery that remained in operation for several generations.
Lastly, in the early 20th century, a woman named Elise Litzsey (1885-1967) made a name for herself as a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in Germany. Her efforts to improve educational opportunities for girls and women were widely recognized and celebrated.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Litzsey
Among Census respondents with the surname Litzsey, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.9%. The next largest groups are White (3.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Litzsey 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 Litzsey surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American92.9%
- Unknown or suppressed3.6%
- White3.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Litzsey 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 | #138,741 | #123,064 | 11.3% |
| Count | 111 | 140 | 26.1% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.05 | 25.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Litzsey bearers went from 111 to 140 (+26.1% change). The surname moved up 15,677 positions in the national ranking, going from #138,741 to #123,064.
FAQ
Litzsey surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Litzsey?
The surname Litzsey holds position #123,064 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Litzsey surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Litzsey, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.9%. The next largest groups are White (3.6%). 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.