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

Ravenhorst, 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 Ravenhorst surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ravenhorst in America

Ravenhorst is the 146011th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ravenhorst surname appeared 104 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 Ravenhorst.

The history of the last name Ravenhorst

The surname Ravenhorst is of Dutch origin, emerging predominantly during the late medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the Netherlands, particularly from the provinces of Gelderland and Utrecht, regions known for their rich feudal history. The name is a compound of two elements: "raven" and "horst". The term "raven" directly translates to the bird raven in English, symbolizing intelligence, mystery, and transformation in various cultures. The word "horst" is an old Germanic term meaning 'thicket' or 'wooded mound', indicative of the landscapes in these regions which were characterized by dense forests and elevated grounds.

In historical records, the name Ravenhorst appears as early as the 14th century. Scribes and clerics often documented it in parish registers and land deeds, though standardization of spelling was not consistent at the time. Variations such as Ravenhorste and Ravenhorstt are found in early manuscripts, which reflect the phonetic spelling conventions of the era. The name's presence in such documents signifies the prominence of families bearing the name, often landowners or individuals of noteworthy status.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Harmen van Ravenhorst, a landowner in the Utrecht region, referenced in a deed from 1378. Harmen's family holdings and social standing positioned them as influential figures within their local community, establishing the Ravenhorst name in the annals of Dutch history. Another notable figure is Jan Ravenhorst, a merchant in 15th century Amsterdam, who contributed significantly to the local economy through trade and commerce.

The 16th century brought reference to Willem Ravenhorst, a military officer who served in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. His involvement in key battles and strategic decisions marked the Ravenhorst name with a legacy of bravery and national pride. During the 17th century, the name appears in colonial contexts, with Jacobus Ravenhorst migrating to the Dutch East Indies, exemplifying the connection of the name to global exploration and enterprise.

The Ravenhorst name also appears in artistic circles. An 18th century painter, Hendrik Ravenhorst, was renowned for his landscapes depicting rural Dutch settings, evidencing the name's sustained reputation through varied societal contributions. His works, celebrated for their naturalistic detail, linked the name with cultural and artistic heritage.

Another prominent figure is Dr. Cornelis Ravenhorst, an early 20th century historian and academic who dedicated much of his career to chronicling the history of Dutch medieval nobility. His publications provided detailed accounts of genealogies and social structures, ensuring that the narrative of his own surname, among others, was preserved and understood in historical context. Cornelis' work remains a valuable resource for researchers and genealogists today.

Through these individuals and myriad historical records, the surname Ravenhorst encapsulates a rich tapestry of Dutch cultural, social, and historical significance from medieval times to the more modern historical era.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ravenhorst

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!