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

Pastir, 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 Pastir surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Pastir in America

Pastir is the 132259th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pastir surname appeared 118 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Pastir.

The history of the last name Pastir

The surname Pastir has its origins in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically from regions that now form part of modern-day Hungary, Slovakia, and surrounding areas. It dates back to the medieval period, likely emerging sometime during the 13th or 14th centuries. The name is derived from the Old Slovakian and Hungarian word "pastier," which means shepherd. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were likely involved in sheep herding and pastoral work, which was a common occupation during this period in these regions.

In the earliest records of surnames in Central Europe, variations of Pastir can be found. Manuscripts from the Kingdom of Hungary sometimes documented the name with slight deviations in spelling, such as Pasteur in Latinized church records dating back to the 15th century. These variants are indicative of local dialects and the evolving nature of surname spellings over time.

Documents from the late medieval period list several individuals bearing the Pastir surname. One of the earliest recorded examples is Jan Pastir, who was mentioned in a tax registry from the town of Banská Bystrica in 1473. Another notable reference is to Maria Pastir, who appeared in a property ownership record in Košice in 1521.

In the 17th century, the Pastir name continued to be documented, appearing in records relating to the Habsburg Monarchy's administration of Hungary and surrounding regions. A notable figure from this period is István Pastir, who served as a local magistrate in the village of Debrecen around 1652. His contributions to local governance are mentioned in several municipal archives.

Moving into the 18th century, the name began appearing in additional historical documents. Anna Pastir, born in 1710 in the Zemplén County, was referenced in a church marriage register in 1733. Her lineage is noted in genealogical studies that trace the movement and settlement patterns of families in the region during this period.

In the 19th century, the name Pastir continued to be recognized, with members of the family playing roles in local communities. József Pastir, born in 1823 and associated with the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, is one such example. His participation in the national uprising is noted in several revolutionary archives, highlighting his contribution to the country's history.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Pastir has been adapted and evolved, reflecting the linguistic and cultural shifts within Central and Eastern Europe. Despite these changes, the name retains its connection to the pastoral and agricultural roots from which it originated.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pastir

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Pastir 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.

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

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

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