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

Onsgard, 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 Onsgard surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Onsgard in America

Onsgard is the 130610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Onsgard surname appeared 130 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 Onsgard.

We can also compare 2010 data for Onsgard 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 Onsgard

The surname Onsgard originates from Norway, having its roots in the Old Norse language. It traces back to the Viking Age, approximately between the 8th and 11th centuries AD. The name is believed to be derived from the Old Norse words "onundr" and "gardr," which together mean "the farm or homestead of Onund."

Onund was a common given name during the Viking era, and it is likely that Onsgard referred to a specific farmstead or settlement owned or established by an individual bearing that name. The suffix "-gard" or "-gård" in Norwegian surnames often indicates a farm or estate, reflecting the agrarian roots of many Scandinavian families.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Onsgard can be found in the Diplomatarium Norvegicum, a collection of medieval Norwegian documents dating back to the 12th century. An entry from 1345 refers to a man named Eirik Onsgard, suggesting that the surname was already in use by that time.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the Onsgard name was Bjørn Onsgard (c. 1520-1590), a Norwegian farmer and landowner who played a role in the Reformation in Norway. He is mentioned in several historical accounts for his involvement in the religious upheaval of that era.

Another prominent individual with the Onsgard surname was Hans Onsgard (1634-1696), a Norwegian merchant and ship owner who became wealthy through his maritime ventures. He was a prominent figure in the city of Bergen and is mentioned in various records of the time.

During the 17th century, the Onsgard name appears in various land records and tax registers in Norway, indicating that the family had established itself as landowners and farmers in various parts of the country.

In the 19th century, a notable figure was Peder Onsgard (1801-1875), a Norwegian politician and farmer who served in the Storting, the Norwegian parliament. He was a vocal advocate for farmers' rights and is mentioned in historical accounts of the time.

Another individual of note was Ingrid Onsgard (1867-1942), a Norwegian author and playwright who wrote several works that explored themes of rural life and the struggles of women in her time. Her plays and novels provide valuable insights into Norwegian society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Onsgard surname has its roots in the rich history and cultural heritage of Norway, with its origins dating back to the Viking Age. While the name has evolved over time, it continues to reflect the agrarian and seafaring traditions that have shaped the Norwegian identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Onsgard

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

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

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

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