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

Risner, 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 Risner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Risner in America

Risner is the 5925th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Risner surname appeared 5,816 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Risner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Risner 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 Risner

The surname Risner is believed to have originated in Germany, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to have derived from the German word "risen," which means "giant" or "large person." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone of exceptional stature or physical size.

In some regions of Germany, such as Bavaria and Swabia, the name was also spelled as "Riesner" or "Riessner," which further solidifies its connection to the German word "riese" (giant). These regional variations in spelling were common in the past, as standardized spellings were not widely adopted until more recent times.

One of the earliest known records of the Risner name can be found in the city archives of Nuremberg, Germany, where a certain Hans Risner was mentioned in a document dated 1562. This document detailed a property transaction, providing insights into the lives of early bearers of the name.

Another notable historical figure bearing the Risner surname was Johann Risner, a German Protestant theologian born in 1532 in Nuremberg. He authored several influential works on theology and was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation movement.

In the 17th century, a family by the name of Risner settled in the town of Schwabach, near Nuremberg. This family is credited with establishing a successful textile business, which contributed to the economic prosperity of the region. Some descendants of this family later emigrated to other parts of Europe and beyond.

During the 18th century, a notable bearer of the Risner name was Karl Risner, a German artist and engraver born in 1725 in Nuremberg. His intricate copper engravings depicting landscapes and architectural scenes were highly regarded in his time and can still be found in various art collections.

As the name spread across Europe, it also found its way to other parts of the world through migration and exploration. One such individual was Peter Risner, a German-born explorer who accompanied the famous naturalist Alexander von Humboldt on his expeditions to South America in the early 19th century.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who carried the Risner surname throughout history. While the name's origins can be traced back to Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world, with bearers contributing to various fields and endeavors.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Risner

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

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

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

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