Find out how popular the last name Pfleging is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Pfleging.
A German occupational surname referring to someone who took care of livestock and farmland.
Pfleging, 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 Pfleging surname is from the 2010 census data.
Pfleging is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Pfleging surname appeared 100 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 Pfleging.
The surname Pfleging is of German origin, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated in the region of Bavaria, where it was likely derived from the German word "pflegen," meaning "to care for" or "to cultivate."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a document from the 14th century, which mentions a "Heinrich Pfleging" residing in the town of Augsburg. This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname, referring to someone involved in caretaking or agricultural activities.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Pfleging name appeared in various records and documents across southern Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Several notable individuals bearing this surname emerged during this time, including Johannes Pfleging (1480-1543), a renowned Lutheran theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation.
As the centuries passed, the Pfleging family dispersed throughout different parts of Germany and beyond. In the 17th century, a branch of the family settled in the city of Nuremberg, where they became respected members of the local community. One notable figure from this era was Christoph Pfleging (1618-1688), a prominent merchant and civic leader who served as a member of the city council.
The 18th century saw the rise of another influential Pfleging, Johann Friedrich Pfleging (1729-1791), a celebrated composer and organist. Born in Nuremberg, he gained recognition for his contributions to sacred music and his work as a church musician.
In the 19th century, the Pfleging name gained further prominence with the birth of Friedrich Pfleging (1846-1912), a renowned German historian and writer. He authored numerous works on German history and culture, including a comprehensive study of the German empire's origins.
Throughout its rich history, the Pfleging surname has been associated with various professions and achievements, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have carried this name. While its origins can be traced back to medieval Germany, the Pfleging name has since spread far beyond its initial roots, becoming a part of the tapestry of many cultures and communities around the world.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Pfleging.
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:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Pfleging was:
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
---|---|---|
Non-Hispanic White Only | 95.00% | 95 |
Non-Hispanic Black Only | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 0.00% | 0 |
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0 |
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | (S)% | (S) |
Hispanic Origin | (S)% | (S) |
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.
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 Pfleging was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Pfleging, please contact us.
We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.
If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!
<a href="http://namecensus.com/last-names/pfleging-surname-popularity/">Pfleging last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
"Pfleging last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/pfleging-surname-popularity/.
"Pfleging last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/pfleging-surname-popularity/. Accessed 4 July, 2025
Pfleging last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/pfleging-surname-popularity/.
Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.
Simple as that.