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

Riffert, 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 Riffert surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Riffert in America

Riffert is the 118185th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Riffert surname appeared 147 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Riffert.

We can also compare 2010 data for Riffert to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Riffert

The surname Riffert has its origins in Germany, where it first emerged in the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the German word "Rief," which means "ridge" or "raised area." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a geographical feature such as a ridge or hill.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Riffert can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Germany, such as Bavaria and Saxony. In some ancient documents, the name appears with slight variations in spelling, including Ryfert, Rieffer, and Riffart.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Riffert was Johann Riffert, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the town of Nuremberg, Germany, in the late 15th century. Records show that he was involved in the lucrative textile trade and owned several properties in the area.

Another notable figure with this surname was Hans Riffert, a skilled artisan and woodcarver who lived in the German city of Augsburg in the 16th century. His intricate woodcarvings adorned many churches and monasteries in the region, and his work was highly regarded during his lifetime.

In the 17th century, a man named Christoph Riffert gained recognition as a respected scholar and educator in the town of Erfurt, Germany. He authored several books on topics ranging from philosophy to theology and served as a professor at the local university.

The name Riffert has also been associated with various place names throughout Germany, such as Riffertshausen, a small village located in the state of Bavaria. This suggests that some branches of the Riffert family may have taken their name from the locations where they settled or held lands.

One of the most prominent figures bearing the Riffert surname was Friedrich Riffert, a German military officer who served in the Prussian Army during the 19th century. He distinguished himself in various campaigns and battles, including the Napoleonic Wars, and was awarded several honors for his bravery and leadership.

While the surname Riffert is not as common today as it was in past centuries, it continues to be found in various regions of Germany and among German diaspora communities around the world. The name's rich history and connection to various notable individuals throughout the centuries make it a significant part of Germany's cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Riffert

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Riffert 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Riffert has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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