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

Pfeffer, 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 Pfeffer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pfeffer in America

Pfeffer is the 7554th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pfeffer surname appeared 4,400 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Pfeffer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pfeffer 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 Pfeffer

The surname Pfeffer is of German origin, derived from the German word "Pfeffer" which means "pepper". It is believed to have originated as an occupational name for someone who traded in pepper or other spices. The name can be traced back to the Middle Ages when the spice trade flourished in Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pfeffer can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of historical documents from the late 12th century. The name is mentioned in an entry dated 1196, referring to a certain "Conradus Pfeffer" from the town of Zwickau in Saxony.

During the 13th century, the surname Pfeffer began to spread across various regions of Germany, particularly in the southern states. In the city of Nuremberg, there are records of a family named Pfeffer who were prominent merchants and members of the city council in the late 1200s.

One notable historical figure with the surname Pfeffer was Johann Pfeffer, a Protestant reformer who lived from 1493 to 1561. He was a close associate of Martin Luther and played a pivotal role in the spread of the Reformation movement in Germany.

Another individual of note was Konrad Pfeffer, a German painter and engraver who lived from 1567 to 1612. He was known for his intricate woodcuts and engravings depicting religious and mythological scenes.

In the 17th century, the name Pfeffer can be found in various parts of Europe, including the Netherlands and Switzerland. One notable bearer of the name was Friedrich Pfeffer, a Swiss mathematician and astronomer who lived from 1639 to 1694. He made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and was a member of the Royal Society in London.

Moving into the 18th century, the name Pfeffer continued to be associated with various professions, including merchants, artisans, and scholars. Georg Pfeffer, a German philosopher and theologian who lived from 1716 to 1797, was a prominent figure in his time, known for his writings on ethics and moral philosophy.

In the 19th century, the name Pfeffer gained recognition in the field of science and exploration. Georg August Pfeffer, a German botanist and explorer who lived from 1835 to 1908, made significant contributions to the study of plant physiology and conducted extensive research in South America.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Pfeffer who have left their mark throughout history. The name's origins as an occupational surname reflect the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of the spice trade in Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pfeffer

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

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

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

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