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

Pitner, 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 Pitner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pitner in America

Pitner is the 24137th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pitner surname appeared 1,042 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 Pitner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pitner 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 Pitner

The surname "Pitner" is believed to have originated in Germany, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 15th century. The name is thought to be derived from the German word "pittner," which referred to a barrel maker or cooper. This occupation was a vital one in medieval times, as barrels were used for storing and transporting various goods, including food, wine, and other commodities.

It is likely that the Pitner surname was initially borne by individuals who worked as barrel makers or were associated with the barrel-making trade. As family names became more widespread, these occupational surnames were adopted and passed down through generations. The name may have also been influenced by regional dialects or variations in spelling, leading to the emergence of different forms such as "Pittner" or "Pittener."

One of the earliest known references to the Pitner surname can be found in the records of the city of Nuremberg, Germany, where a certain Hans Pitner was mentioned in a document dated 1487. This suggests that the name had already been established in that region by the late 15th century.

Another notable figure with the Pitner surname was Johann Pitner, a German theologian and writer who lived in the 16th century (1499-1572). He authored several works on religious topics and was a prominent figure in the Lutheran Reformation movement.

In the 17th century, a family by the name of Pitner is recorded as having settled in the region of Saxony, Germany. One member of this family, Friedrich Pitner (1628-1697), was a respected blacksmith and metalworker, contributing to the local economy and craftsmanship traditions.

As the surname spread across Germany and Europe, it is likely that some variations in spelling and pronunciation occurred. For instance, in the 18th century, there are records of a Johann Pietner (1712-1779), a German composer and organist, whose surname may have been an alternative spelling of Pitner.

Another individual of note bearing this surname was Karl Pitner (1786-1858), a German painter and engraver who was active in the early 19th century. His works depicted landscapes and scenes from everyday life, contributing to the artistic heritage of the time.

While the origin of the Pitner surname can be traced back to medieval Germany, it is important to note that families with this name may have subsequently migrated to other parts of Europe and even further afield. Over time, the name would have been adopted and adapted by different cultures and linguistic traditions, leading to various spellings and pronunciations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pitner

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

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

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

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