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

Messer, 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 Messer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Messer in America

Messer is the 1769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Messer surname appeared 20,306 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 7 people would have the surname Messer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Messer 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 Messer

The surname Messer has its roots in the German language, originating from the Middle High German word "mez(z)er," which translates to "knife maker" or "butcher." This occupational surname traces its origins to the medieval period, particularly in the regions of modern-day Germany and parts of Central Europe.

During the Middle Ages, occupational surnames were commonly adopted to distinguish individuals by their trade or profession. The name Messer likely emerged among families whose ancestors were skilled craftsmen, producing and selling knives or engaged in butchery.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Messer can be found in the Hausbuch der Mendelschen zwölfbrüderstiftung, a manuscript dating back to the 14th century. This document, which chronicled the lives of affluent families in Nuremberg, Germany, mentions individuals bearing the surname Messer.

In the 15th century, a prominent individual named Arnold Messer (1436-1514) was a successful merchant and banker in the city of Strasbourg, France. His wealth and influence contributed to the recognition of the Messer name in the region.

Another notable figure with this surname was Johann Messer (1520-1583), a German theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. He was a close associate of Martin Luther and served as a preacher and pastor in various cities throughout Germany.

The Messer surname also found its way into the annals of English history. Sir John Messer (1585-1651) was an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of King Charles I.

In the realm of literature, the German writer and poet Hans Messer (1790-1864) gained recognition for his contributions to the Romantic movement. His works, including poems and novels, explored themes of nature and the human experience.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Messer surname in North America dates back to the 17th century, when Hans Messer (1630-1698) immigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania, seeking religious freedom and new opportunities.

Throughout history, the Messer name has been associated with various professions, from skilled artisans and merchants to academics and political figures. While the surname may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, its origins remain firmly rooted in the occupational traditions of the Middle Ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Messer

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

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

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

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