Riemersma
A surname of Dutch origin meaning "reedmaker" or "thatchmaker".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 754 Americans carry the last name Riemersma. That puts it at #34,835 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.22 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 454,581 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Riemersma surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
754
1 in 454,581
Census rank
#34,835
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
648
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 648 bearers of the surname Riemersma in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.22 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 34835th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Riemersma, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Riemersma
The surname Riemersma originated in the Netherlands, with its earliest records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old Dutch word "riem," meaning "thong" or "strip of leather," and "erfsma," which translates to "heir" or "inheritor." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to an occupation or trade involving leather goods.
The earliest known bearer of the Riemersma name was Geert Riemersma, born around 1520 in the province of Friesland. He was a prominent merchant and landowner, and his name appears in several municipal records from the city of Leeuwarden during that period.
In the 17th century, the Riemersma family gained prominence in the town of Franeker, where they were involved in academia and the legal profession. One notable figure was Sibrandus Riemersma (1602-1672), a respected jurist and professor of law at the University of Franeker.
The surname Riemersma has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such individual was Joannes Riemersma (1770-1841), a Dutch military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became the Governor of Suriname, a Dutch colony in South America.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Pieter Riemersma (1815-1897), a Dutch politician and jurist who served as the Minister of Justice in the Netherlands from 1868 to 1870. He played a significant role in the revision of the Dutch Civil Code during his tenure.
In the 20th century, Bauke Riemersma (1901-1981) was a renowned Dutch linguist and author, best known for his work on the Frisian language and culture. He contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of the Frisian language through his writings and academic pursuits.
The name Riemersma has also been found in various historical records and manuscripts, such as the records of the Dutch Reformed Church, genealogical archives, and local municipal documents from the provinces of Friesland and Groningen.
While the surname Riemersma is relatively uncommon outside of the Netherlands, it has a rich history and cultural significance, reflecting the Dutch heritage and traditions from which it emerged.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Riemersma
Among Census respondents with the surname Riemersma, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Riemersma bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Riemersma surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.9%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Riemersma surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #34,835 | #34,835 | 0.0% |
| Count | 648 | 648 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Riemersma bearers went from 648 to 648 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #34,835 to #34,835.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Riemersma
FAQ
Riemersma surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Riemersma?
The surname Riemersma holds position #34,835 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 754 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.22 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Riemersma surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Riemersma, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.