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

Pinter, 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 Pinter surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pinter in America

Pinter is the 8920th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pinter surname appeared 3,669 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 Pinter.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pinter 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 Pinter

The surname Pinter has its origins in Hungary, where it can be traced back to the 14th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Hungarian word "pinter," which means "cooper" or a maker of barrels and casks. This occupation was crucial in a time when wine and beer production was an integral part of local economies.

In the early records, the name was often spelled as "Pyntyr" or "Pintér," reflecting the regional dialects and variations in pronunciation. One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the 1364 tax records of the town of Kecskemét, where a certain "Johannes Pyntyr" was listed as a taxpayer.

By the 16th century, the Pinter surname had spread across various regions of Hungary, with concentrations in towns and villages known for their wineries or breweries. In the 1522 census of the village of Tállya, a winemaking center in the Tokaj region, several families with the surname Pintér were recorded.

One of the earliest notable bearers of the Pinter surname was Gergely Pinter, a respected cooper who lived in the town of Eger in the late 15th century. His craftsmanship was highly sought after, and he is mentioned in several historical documents from that era.

As the centuries passed, the Pinter name continued to be associated with the cooperage trade, but also branched out into other professions. In the 18th century, a Pál Pinter (1702-1778) gained recognition as a skilled architect and builder, responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the region of Debrecen.

Another notable figure was the writer and poet Sándor Pinter (1838-1921), who was born in the town of Makó and became a prominent figure in the Hungarian literary scene of the 19th century. His works often drew inspiration from the rich folklore and traditions of his homeland.

In the 20th century, the Pinter surname gained international recognition through the acclaimed British playwright Harold Pinter (1930-2008). Although his family had emigrated from Poland, his surname likely had its roots in the Hungarian Pinter lineage, reflecting the widespread diaspora of the name across Eastern and Central Europe.

Throughout its history, the Pinter surname has endured as a testament to the skilled craftspeople and artisans who contributed to the cultural fabric of Hungary and beyond, carrying the echoes of their trade through the generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pinter

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

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

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

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