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

Niswonger, 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 Niswonger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Niswonger in America

Niswonger is the 19774th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Niswonger surname appeared 1,361 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 Niswonger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Niswonger 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 Niswonger

The surname NISWONGER has its origins in the German language and can be traced back to the late 16th century. The name is believed to have originated in the region of Bavaria, specifically in the town of Niswanger, which was located near the city of Augsburg. The prefix "Nis" in the name is thought to derive from the Old High German word "nist," meaning "nest," while the suffix "-wonger" is believed to be a locative element, indicating a place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name NISWONGER can be found in a historical document from the year 1587, which mentions a certain "Hans Niswonger" residing in the village of Niswanger. This document provides valuable insight into the early usage and spelling variations of the name.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name NISWONGER began to spread beyond the confines of Bavaria, as families bearing this surname migrated to other parts of Germany and neighboring regions. Records from this period show variations in the spelling, such as "Nisswanger," "Nisswonger," and "Niswanger," which reflect the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time.

One notable figure bearing the NISWONGER surname was Johann Michael Niswonger (1677-1743), a renowned clockmaker and artisan from the city of Augsburg. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the nobility and aristocracy of the era, and his work is now considered a significant contribution to the art of watchmaking.

In the 19th century, several NISWONGER families embarked on journeys across the Atlantic Ocean, settling in various parts of North America. One such family was that of Wilhelm Niswonger (1821-1888), who immigrated to the United States in the mid-1800s and established a successful farming community in the state of Pennsylvania.

Another prominent individual with the NISWONGER surname was Anna Niswonger (1855-1932), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. Born in Ohio, she dedicated her life to improving educational opportunities for women and was a vocal supporter of the suffragette movement in the early 20th century.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the NISWONGER name continued to spread across North America, with families settling in various regions, including Canada and Mexico. One notable figure from this period was Hermann Niswonger (1879-1955), a German-American engineer who played a crucial role in the development of early aviation technology, contributing to the design of some of the first successful aircraft.

These examples demonstrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the surname NISWONGER, which has its roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe but has since become a part of the cultural tapestry of many nations around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Niswonger

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

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

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

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