Rifkin
A surname of Yiddish origin meaning "one who sold animal hides or furs".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,611 Americans carry the last name Rifkin. That puts it at #19,390 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.47 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 212,759 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Rifkin 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
1.6K
1 in 212,759
Census rank
#19,390
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.4K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,394 bearers of the surname Rifkin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.47 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 19390th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Rifkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (0.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Rifkin
The surname Rifkin is of Russian Jewish origin, derived from the Hebrew name Reuven, which means "behold, a son." It is believed to have originated in the late 18th or early 19th century among Jewish communities in Russia and Eastern Europe.
One of the earliest known records of the name Rifkin can be found in the Russian Census of 1897, which listed several families with this surname living in various towns and cities across the Russian Empire. The name was likely adopted as a way to distinguish oneself and establish a family identity during a period of increased assimilation and urbanization.
In the early 20th century, many Rifkin families immigrated to the United States, fleeing persecution and seeking better opportunities. The name can be found in passenger lists and immigration records from this time, often with variations in spelling such as Rifkind or Rifken.
The name Rifkin has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded Rifkins was Chaim Rifkin, a Russian-born writer and journalist who lived from 1876 to 1957. He was known for his works on Jewish culture and history.
Another prominent figure was Benjamin Rifkin, an American lawyer and civil rights activist born in 1920. He played a significant role in the desegregation of public schools in the United States and was involved in several landmark legal cases.
In the world of business, Joseph Rifkin (1922-2011) was a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Rifkin Textile Corporation in New York City.
The name Rifkin has also been associated with the arts and entertainment industry. Jessica Rifkin (born 1976) is an American actress known for her roles in various television shows and films.
Lastly, Michael Rifkin (born 1944) is a renowned American economist and author who has written extensively on issues related to globalization and technological change.
While the Rifkin surname may have originated from a specific geographic region, it has since spread across the globe, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields. The name's enduring presence serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Jewish culture and identity.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Rifkin
Among Census respondents with the surname Rifkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (0.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Rifkin 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 Rifkin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.7%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
- Two or more races0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Rifkin 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 | #19,390 | #19,390 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,394 | 1,394 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.47 | 0.47 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Rifkin bearers went from 1,394 to 1,394 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #19,390 to #19,390.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Rifkin
FAQ
Rifkin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Rifkin?
The surname Rifkin holds position #19,390 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,611 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.47 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Rifkin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Rifkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Two or More Races (0.6%). 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.