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

Opfer, 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 Opfer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Opfer in America

Opfer is the 27732nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Opfer surname appeared 867 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 Opfer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Opfer 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 Opfer

The surname OPFER is of German origin, with its roots traced back to the late 15th century. It is believed to have originated from the Lower Rhineland region of Germany, encompassing areas like Cologne and Düsseldorf. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "opfer," which means "sacrifice" or "offering."

The earliest recorded mention of the OPFER surname can be found in a document from 1487, where a certain Hans Opfer is listed as a resident of Cologne. It is speculated that the name may have initially been associated with individuals involved in religious ceremonies or those working in priestly roles, as sacrificial offerings were integral to certain rituals and practices of the time.

In the 16th century, the name appears in various historical records from the region, including parish registers and tax rolls. One notable example is Johann Opfer, a merchant from Düsseldorf, who is mentioned in a trade ledger dated 1532. Another record from 1576 cites a Peter Opfer as a landowner in the village of Opladen, near Leverkusen.

The OPFER surname also has connections to place names in Germany. For instance, the town of Opferbaum, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is believed to have derived its name from the Opfer family who resided there in the 17th century. Similarly, the village of Opfergrund in Saxony may have its origins linked to the surname.

Throughout history, several individuals with the OPFER surname have left their mark:

1. Gottfried Opfer (1698-1768), a renowned German theologian and author from Saxony.
2. Hans Opfer (1832-1901), a German engineer and inventor credited with developing early designs for steam-powered locomotives.
3. Emilie Opfer (1867-1942), a German painter known for her portraits and landscapes.
4. Wilhelm Opfer (1887-1945), a German military officer who served in World War I and World War II.
5. Gerhard Opfer (1923-2003), a German composer and conductor who wrote several operas and orchestral works.

The OPFER surname has maintained its presence across various parts of Germany, with notable concentrations in regions like North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, and Bavaria. While its original meaning may have been associated with religious offerings, the name has since become a part of the rich tapestry of German family names, reflecting the country's diverse cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Opfer

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

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

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

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