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

Ohnstad, 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 Ohnstad surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ohnstad in America

Ohnstad is the 43369th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ohnstad surname appeared 498 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 Ohnstad.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ohnstad 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 Ohnstad

The surname OHNSTAD is of Norwegian origin, with its roots traced back to the 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse words "ǫgn" meaning "fear" or "dread" and "staðr" meaning "place" or "location." This combination suggests that the name may have referred to a place that was considered fearsome or dreadful, perhaps due to its harsh environment or its association with historical events.

The earliest recorded mention of the name OHNSTAD can be found in the Diplomatarium Norvegicum, a collection of medieval Norwegian documents dating back to the 13th century. One such document, dated around 1350, mentions a landowner named Thorvald OHNSTAD, who owned a farm in the region of Gudbrandsdalen, located in central Norway.

In the late 15th century, a man named Olav OHNSTAD is documented as having participated in the Battle of Kringen in 1502, a significant conflict during the Norwegian struggle for independence from Denmark. His bravery and loyalty to the Norwegian cause were noted in contemporary accounts, solidifying the OHNSTAD name in the annals of Norwegian history.

During the 16th century, the name OHNSTAD appears in various parish records and land registers across Norway, indicating its widespread use across different regions. One notable figure from this era was Ingrid OHNSTAD (1542-1611), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist who donated substantial funds for the construction of several churches in the region of Trøndelag.

In the 18th century, the OHNSTAD name gained further prominence with the birth of Hans OHNSTAD (1712-1789), a renowned explorer and cartographer. His detailed maps of the Norwegian coastline and inland regions were instrumental in advancing the country's geographical knowledge and facilitating trade and navigation.

Another notable figure was Arne OHNSTAD (1823-1901), a prominent politician and advocate for Norwegian independence from Sweden. His impassioned speeches and writings played a crucial role in shaping the Norwegian national identity and ultimately contributed to the peaceful dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905.

Throughout the centuries, the OHNSTAD name has been associated with various professions, from farmers and landowners to clergy, artists, and intellectuals. While the precise origins of the name may be shrouded in mystery, its enduring presence in Norwegian history is a testament to its significance and the resilience of those who bore this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ohnstad

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

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

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

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