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

Posser, 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 Posser surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Posser in America

Posser is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Posser surname appeared 103 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 Posser.

The history of the last name Posser

The surname Posser traces its origins back to medieval Europe, specifically in the regions that are now modern-day Germany and England. In medieval Germany, the name likely emerged as a localized variant of the occupational surname Possmann, which was derived from the Middle High German word "possen," meaning to jest or entertain. This suggests that an early bearer of the name could have been a jester or an entertainer by profession. In England, the name appears to have roots as a locational surname, derived from places named Posse or Possett in relevant regions. The precise origins can be complex as migration and local dialects diversified over centuries.

One of the earliest references to the name Posser in historical manuscripts can be found in English records from the 13th century. A 1296 record in the Subsidy Rolls mentions a Richard Posser in Sussex, suggesting that the name was present in southern England by that time. These subsidies rolls were a form of tax records maintained by the crown, indicating that Richard Posser was likely a landowner or a person of note in his locality.

A significant occurrence of the surname is seen in the 14th century when Bertram Posser is mentioned in the 1332 Lay Subsidy for Norfolk. This record, like the earlier one, indicates the payment of taxes and suggests that Bertram was a person of some standing in his community. The appearance of the name across different counties over such periods illustrates the spread and establishment of the surname within England.

The name also appears in historical contexts in Germany. In the late 15th century, Johann Posser is documented as a master craftsman in Nuremberg. Born in 1467 and died in 1523, Johann was known for his skill in metalworking, particularly producing finely crafted armaments. His reputation helped solidify the presence of the Posser name within artisan guilds and craftsmen records of the period.

During the 16th century, Hans Posser, another notable figure, served as a town councilor in Hamburg from 1540 to 1565. Born in 1505, Hans was recognized for his political acumen and contributions to the development of city infrastructure. His role in public service demonstrates the diversification of the Posser family name into various professional and social roles beyond its occupational or locational origins.

Another individual of historical importance bearing the surname is Margarethe Posser, born in 1693 and died in 1760. She was a noted midwife in Bavaria, contributing significantly to community health in an era when medical practices were still in early development stages. Margarethe's work is documented in local parish records, emphasizing the families she helped and the position of trust she held in her community.

In the 18th century, James Posser is recorded as an influential merchant in Bristol, born in 1730 and died in 1792. James engaged in trade across the Atlantic, dealing particularly in textiles and tobacco. His success in commerce showcases the surname's presence among the burgeoning middle classes in England's port cities during the industrial expansion.

The surname Posser, though relatively less widespread than some other surnames, provides a fascinating insight into medieval occupational roles, localities, and the varied lives of its bearers across different periods and regions of Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Posser

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

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

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

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