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

Othmer, 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 Othmer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Othmer in America

Othmer is the 81772nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Othmer surname appeared 231 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 Othmer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Othmer 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 Othmer

The surname Othmer has its origins in Germany, and its earliest known records date back to the 15th century. The name is believed to have originated from the German word "Otho," a variation of the name Otto, which means "prosperous" or "wealthy." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals of considerable wealth or social standing.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Othmer can be found in the records of the town of Augsburg, Germany, where a certain Hanns Othmer was mentioned in a document dated 1492. This record provides valuable insight into the name's prevalence in the region during that time period.

Another notable mention of the name Othmer appears in the "Kirchenbücher" (church records) of several German towns and villages, particularly in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. These records often contain details about births, marriages, and deaths, offering a glimpse into the lives of individuals bearing the Othmer surname.

In the 17th century, the name Othmer was also found in the records of the city of Nuremberg, a prominent center of trade and commerce in Germany. This suggests that individuals with this surname may have been involved in mercantile activities or other professions associated with the city's thriving economy.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Othmer was Johann Othmer (1563-1627), a German theologian and Protestant reformer. He was born in Nuremberg and played a significant role in the religious and intellectual debates of his time.

Another notable figure was Wilhelm Othmer (1806-1879), a German painter and lithographer who was born in Nuremberg. His works, including landscapes and portraits, are still considered important examples of 19th-century German art.

In the 20th century, Donald F. Othmer (1904-1995), an American chemical engineer and educator, made significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering. He was a professor at various prestigious institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.

Other individuals with the surname Othmer include Konrad Othmer (1892-1969), a German chemist and inventor who developed several important processes in the chemical industry, and Helga Othmer (1931-2004), a German-born American ceramic artist renowned for her intricate and highly detailed ceramic sculptures.

While the name Othmer is not as common as some other German surnames, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and can be traced back to various regions of Germany, where it was likely associated with individuals of notable social or economic standing in their respective communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Othmer

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

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

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

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