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

Ritter, 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 Ritter surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ritter in America

Ritter is the 1053rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ritter surname appeared 33,252 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 11 people would have the surname Ritter.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ritter 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 Ritter

The surname RITTER is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word 'ritter', meaning 'knight' or 'rider'. It emerged during the medieval period in various regions of Germany, particularly in areas with a strong knightly tradition.

The name RITTER can be traced back to the 12th century, when it was used to refer to members of the knightly class or those engaged in military service on horseback. In some cases, the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who exhibited knightly qualities or virtues, such as bravery, chivalry, and honor.

One of the earliest known references to the name RITTER can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. This suggests that the name was already well-established in certain parts of Germany during that time.

Notable individuals with the surname RITTER throughout history include Johann Wilhelm Ritter (1776-1810), a German physicist and philosopher known for his discovery of ultraviolet radiation. Another prominent figure was Carl Ritter (1779-1859), a German geographer and pioneer in the field of modern geography.

In the realm of literature, Ritter Joseph von Eichendorff (1788-1857) was a prominent German poet and novelist, known for his lyrical poetry and contributions to the Romantic movement. The name RITTER also appears in the Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis, a collection of documents from the Margraviate of Brandenburg, dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name RITTER can be found in a document from the city of Nuremberg, dated 1348, which mentions a certain "Konrad Ritter". Additionally, the Codex Diplomaticus Silesiae, a collection of historical records from Silesia, contains references to individuals with the surname RITTER as early as the 14th century.

Other notable individuals with the surname RITTER include Thelma Ritter (1905-1969), an American actress known for her memorable supporting roles in films such as "All About Eve" and "Pickup on South Street". There was also Otto Ritter (1909-2004), a German U-boat commander during World War II, and Theodore Ritter (1836-1888), an American businessman and founder of the Ritter Dental Manufacturing Company.

The surname RITTER has been widely dispersed throughout various regions of Germany and beyond, reflecting the historical mobility and influence of the knightly class. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name continues to be carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ritter

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

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

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

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