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

Orvin, 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 Orvin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Orvin in America

Orvin is the 57372nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Orvin surname appeared 355 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 Orvin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Orvin 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 Orvin

The surname Orvin has its origins in the Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway and Sweden. It is believed to have emerged in the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Old Norse word "ørvin," which means "friend of the bears" or "bear-friend."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Orvin can be found in the Norwegian census records from the late 15th century, where it appeared as "Orwin" or "Örvin." This variation in spelling was common during that period, as standardized spelling conventions were yet to be established.

In Sweden, the surname Orvin is closely associated with the village of Orvingesund, located in the province of Halland. It is believed that the name originated from this particular place, which was once known as "Örvingesund" in the Old Swedish language.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Orvin was Örvind Svensson, who lived in the 16th century and was a prominent landowner in the region of Småland, Sweden. Another notable figure was Jöns Orvin, a Swedish military officer who fought in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and was recognized for his bravery on the battlefield.

In Norway, the Orvin surname is often associated with the Orvin family, who were influential landowners and merchants in the city of Bergen during the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the most renowned members of this family was Hans Orvin (1648-1721), a successful merchant and ship owner who played a significant role in the city's maritime trade.

Another notable bearer of the Orvin surname was Johanne Orvin (1808-1887), a Norwegian writer and educator who was a pioneer in promoting women's rights and education in her country. She founded one of the first schools for girls in Norway and wrote several books on women's issues.

In the 19th century, the Orvin surname also gained prominence in the United States, particularly among Norwegian immigrants who settled in the Midwestern states. One such individual was Nils Orvin (1826-1901), a Norwegian-American farmer and businessman who became a prominent figure in the Norwegian-American community in Wisconsin.

While the surname Orvin is not among the most common surnames in Scandinavia or globally, it has a rich history and cultural significance, particularly in its regions of origin. The name's association with the bear, a revered animal in Norse mythology, adds an intriguing layer to its etymology and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Orvin

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

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

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

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