Primich last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Primich

A surname of Croatian origin meaning "first" or "original".

Primich, 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 Primich surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Primich in America

Primich is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Primich surname appeared 105 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 Primich.

The history of the last name Primich

The surname Primich is believed to have originated in the Slavic regions of Eastern Europe, specifically from areas that are part of modern-day Croatia and Slovenia. Historical documentation suggests that the surname emerged during the medieval period, approximately between the 12th and 15th centuries. This time frame aligns with the formation of many inherited surnames arising from professions, locations, or characteristics of the individual.

Primich likely derives from an older Slavic word or series of words. One plausible theory is that it comes from the Slovenian or Croatian word "primić," which can translate to 'one who receives' or 'one who is favored.’ This etymological root suggests that the name might have been used to denote someone who held a favorable position in society or who was known for receiving honors or possessions, possibly indicative of a role in local governance or commerce.

The first historical references to the name Primich can be found in regional church records and land documents dating back to the 14th century. For example, the name is listed in the archives of the Diocese of Zagreb, where a certain Matija Primich is documented as a landowner in 1372. This early mention underscores the name's integration into the society of the time, signifying a family of some standing.

The name Primich appears again in the annals of Dubrovnik in the late 15th century, specifically in the year 1498, when a Franjo Primich is documented as a member of the local merchant guild. This involvement with the guild suggests that the Primich family had established themselves in trade and commerce, a key facet of the thriving Adriatic maritime economy of that era.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Ivan Primich was recorded in the Republic of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik). Born in 1521 and later becoming a prominent figure, Ivan’s participation in Ragusan politics and trade activities provided further prominence to the Primich surname.

Magdalena Primich, born in 1605 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is another prominent figure with historical records. She was known for her philanthropic efforts and contributions to the local community, particularly in the establishment of charitable institutions such as orphanages and hospitals during the late 17th century.

By the 18th century, yet another prominent individual by the name of Juraj Primich, born in 1739, emerged in Zagreb. Juraj was noted for his scholarly work and contributions to early Croatian literature, particularly in the field of poetry and historical chronicles.

Throughout these periods, various spellings of the surname, such as Primoch and Primić, were noted in regional dialects and documents, reflecting the phonetic variations and orthographic changes over time.

Overall, the surname Primich has roots going deep into the medieval history of Southeast Europe, with its bearers playing influential roles in trade, governance, literature, and philanthropy. These diverse contributions echo the significance and esteem held by those who bore the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Primich

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

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 Primich was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 97.14% 102
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.

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

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

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"Primich last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/primich-surname-popularity/.

"Primich last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/primich-surname-popularity/. Accessed 2 August, 2025

Primich last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/primich-surname-popularity/.

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