Mantei
An Italian surname likely derived from the region of Mantua or meaning "cloak" or "coat".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 583 Americans carry the last name Mantei. That puts it at #42,511 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.17 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 587,915 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mantei 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
583
1 in 587,915
Census rank
#42,511
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
510
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 510 bearers of the surname Mantei in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 42511th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mantei, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mantei
The surname MANTEI has its origins in Germany, specifically in the northern regions of the country. It is believed to have emerged in the early 13th century, derived from the Low German word "mante," which means "mantle" or "cloak." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked as a cloak maker or seller.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the records of the town of Lübeck, where a certain Hinrich Mantei is mentioned in a document dated 1287. This document pertains to a land transaction, indicating that the Mantei family had already established itself in the region by that time.
The name MANTEI also appeared in the historical records of the city of Hamburg, where a Johann Mantei was listed as a member of the city council in the year 1435. This suggests that the family had gained prominence and influence in the area.
During the 16th century, the name MANTEI began to spread across other parts of northern Germany, including the regions of Mecklenburg and Pomerania. One notable individual from this period was Hans Mantei, a merchant from the town of Stralsund, who was born in 1524 and played a role in the Hanseatic League's trading activities.
As the years progressed, the MANTEI surname continued to be found in various historical records and documents throughout northern Germany. In the 18th century, a certain Friedrich Mantei, born in 1712 in the town of Rostock, became a respected scholar and author, publishing works on philosophy and theology.
Another prominent figure bearing the MANTEI name was Carl Mantei, born in 1820 in the city of Hamburg. He was a successful businessman and philanthropist, known for his contributions to the development of the city's infrastructure and social welfare programs.
It is worth noting that throughout the centuries, variations in the spelling of the surname have been observed, including Mantey, Mantai, and Manteje, among others. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained consistent, tracing back to its roots in the Low German language and the traditional occupation of cloak making.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mantei
Among Census respondents with the surname Mantei, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Mantei 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 Mantei surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.3%
- Hispanic or Latino1.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mantei 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #42,511 | #42,511 | 0.0% |
| Count | 510 | 510 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Mantei bearers went from 510 to 510 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #42,511 to #42,511.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mantei
FAQ
Mantei surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mantei?
The surname Mantei holds position #42,511 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 583 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mantei surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mantei, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%). 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.