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

Nesler, 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 Nesler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nesler in America

Nesler is the 24961st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nesler surname appeared 996 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 Nesler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nesler 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 Nesler

The surname Nesler is of German origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, where it was initially spelled as "Nessler." This name is derived from the German word "Nessel," which means "nettle," a common weed found in fields and forests.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Nesler surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of medieval documents from Saxony dating back to the 12th century. In this manuscript, a certain "Henricus Nessler" is mentioned as a landowner in the village of Borna, near Leipzig, in the year 1187.

During the 13th century, the Nesler name began to appear in various administrative records and legal documents across German-speaking regions. For instance, a "Johannes Nessler" is documented as a witness in a land dispute in the town of Würzburg, Bavaria, in 1259.

As the name spread and evolved, it took on several variations in spelling, such as "Nessler," "Nesseler," and "Nesslar." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local scribes.

One notable bearer of the Nesler surname was Johann Nesler (1554-1627), a German composer and organist who served at the court of the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg. His compositions, primarily vocal works and sacred music, were highly regarded during his lifetime.

Another historical figure was Hans Nesler (1675-1745), a master stonemason from Regensburg, Bavaria. He was responsible for the construction of several notable buildings in the region, including the Baroque-style church of St. Emmeram in Regensburg, which is considered one of his masterpieces.

In the 18th century, the Nesler name gained prominence in the town of Nesselnbach, located in the Palatinate region of Germany. This town's name, derived from the German word "Nessel," is believed to be connected to the origin of the Nesler surname.

Johann Georg Nesler (1742-1810) was a renowned clockmaker from Nesselnbach, whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after by nobility and wealthy patrons across Europe.

Another notable figure was Karl Nesler (1808-1882), a German-born artist and lithographer who immigrated to the United States in the mid-19th century. He is renowned for his detailed lithographic prints depicting scenes from the American Civil War, which provide valuable historical documentation of that era.

While the Nesler surname has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and intermarriage. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval German-speaking regions, where it was closely associated with the cultivation of fields and the presence of nettle plants.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nesler

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

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

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

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