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

Messerschmidt, 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 Messerschmidt surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Messerschmidt in America

Messerschmidt is the 21862nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Messerschmidt surname appeared 1,189 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 Messerschmidt.

We can also compare 2010 data for Messerschmidt 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 Messerschmidt

The surname MESSERSCHMIDT is of German origin, with roots dating back to the late Middle Ages. It is a compound name derived from the German words "Messer," meaning "knife," and "Schmidt," referring to a blacksmith or metalworker. This suggests that the name may have originated from an occupation or trade related to knife-making or metalworking.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, the name MESSERSCHMIDT appeared in various records and documents across German-speaking regions, particularly in areas now known as Bavaria and Saxony. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in parish records, tax rolls, and guild registries from cities like Nuremberg and Leipzig.

One notable historical reference to the name MESSERSCHMIDT is found in the Nuremberg Chronicle, a famous illustrated world history book published in 1493. The book mentions a Hans Messerschmidt, a renowned bladesmith from Nuremberg, who was renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship in creating high-quality knives and swords.

Among the earliest recorded individuals with the surname MESSERSCHMIDT was Johann Georg Messerschmidt, a German sculptor and medallist born in 1685 in Wiesensteig, Swabia. He is best known for his unique and eccentric bust sculptures that depict exaggerated human expressions and emotions.

Another prominent figure was Hermann Messerschmidt, a German aircraft designer and engineer born in 1868 in Frankfurt. He is credited with designing and developing the iconic Messerschmitt Bf 109, a renowned German fighter aircraft that played a crucial role during World War II.

In the 16th century, the name MESSERSCHMIDT was also associated with the city of Messerschmidt, now known as Messen, located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is believed that some bearers of the surname may have originated from or resided in this town, which could have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name over time.

Other notable individuals with the surname MESSERSCHMIDT include:

1. Hans Messerschmidt (1566-1631), a German jurist and legal scholar from Nuremberg.
2. Friedrich Messerschmidt (1811-1891), a German painter and lithographer known for his landscapes and cityscapes.
3. Theodor Messerschmidt (1856-1935), a German mathematician and professor at the University of Leipzig.
4. Otto Messerschmidt (1888-1967), a German architect and urban planner who worked on various projects in Berlin and other German cities.
5. Manfred Messerschmidt (1926-2005), a German racing driver who competed in Formula One and other motorsports events in the 1950s and 1960s.

While the surname MESSERSCHMIDT has its roots in the German language and culture, it has spread to other countries through migration and intermarriage over the centuries, with variations in spelling and pronunciation emerging in different regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Messerschmidt

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

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

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

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