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

Pölander, 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 Pölander surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Pölander in America

Pölander is the 119644th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pölander surname appeared 134 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 Pölander.

The history of the last name Pölander

The surname Polander finds its roots predominantly in Eastern Europe, notably deriving from Poland. The earliest origins of the name date back to the medieval period, approximately the 12th century. At this time, hereditary surnames were becoming more prevalent across Europe, largely as a way to identify individuals within a growing population.

Polander is derived from the Old Polish word "Polak" meaning "Pole" or a person from Poland. The suffix "-ander" suggests a commonality with Germanic or Dutch influences, indicating migration or significant contact between these regions. Similar spellings in old records might include "Pollander" or "Pollender" which can be found in various historical documents and registers across Central Europe.

One of the earliest recorded examples of a person bearing the surname Polander is Jakob Polander who is mentioned in a 14th-century Bohemian manuscript referring to the local guilds in which he was a skilled tradesman. This record provides the context that the surname was associated with individuals who had migrated from Poland to other neighboring regions like Bohemia for trade or settling purposes.

Documentary evidence of the name can be found in both ecclesiastical and civil records throughout the Middle Ages. In a 1452 church register from Kraków, Janusz Polander is identified as a prominent member of the congregation, contributing to local ventures and serving as a town elder. By the 16th century, with the increasing prevalence of written records, the name begins to manifest more commonly.

Martin Polander was another significant historical figure, a scholar and theologian born in 1530 in the Lesser Poland region. His contributions to religious and philosophical thought were documented in various university archives, particularly those in Kraków. His works often featured his surname prominently, indicating a shift towards familial identity and lineage significance during this period.

In the 17th century, the surname appears in military records. Marek Polander served as an officer in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s forces that fought in the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Such records highlight the active participation of individuals with the surname in significant historical events, showcasing their involvement beyond local contexts.

By the 18th century, the name had spread farther west. Johann Polander, born in 1710, is noted for his emigration to the Netherlands where he became involved in mercantile trade. His name appears in several merchant guild records in Amsterdam, indicating the spread and adaptation of the surname in different cultural contexts.

The 19th century brought about wider recognition of the name through the arts. Katarzyna Polander, born in 1823 in Warsaw, gained fame as a pianist and composer, contributing to Poland's rich cultural tapestry. Her works were widely performed across Europe, and she frequently toured, further establishing the family name across various regions.

Overall, the surname Polander carries with it centuries of history, tracing the movement and integration of Polish heritage into broader European narratives. Its origins, documented presence in historical records, and notable bearers through the centuries, from tradesmen and scholars to military figures and artists, illustrate a multifaceted legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pölander

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

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

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

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