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

Ruppert, 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 Ruppert surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ruppert in America

Ruppert is the 6535th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ruppert surname appeared 5,186 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 Ruppert.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ruppert 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 Ruppert

The surname Ruppert originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe, specifically in the area now known as Germany. It is believed to have emerged in the Middle Ages, possibly as early as the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Germanic personal name Rudolf or Rodulf, which means "famous wolf." This name was quite popular during the medieval period and gave rise to various surname variations, including Ruppert.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ruppert can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the region of Saxony. In this compilation, dated around 1350, there is a mention of a certain "Johannes Ruppert" from the town of Jena. This suggests that the surname was already established and in use by that time.

In the following centuries, the Ruppert surname continued to spread and appear in various records throughout German-speaking lands. For instance, in the 16th century, there are references to a merchant named Caspar Ruppert from the city of Nuremberg, who was involved in the lucrative trade of spices and textiles. Another notable bearer of the name was Johann Ruppert, a renowned potter from the village of Höhr-Grenzhausen in the Westerwald region, active in the late 17th century.

One of the earliest known individuals with the Ruppert surname was Matthias Ruppert, a master builder and architect born in Würzburg, Germany, around 1540. He is credited with designing and overseeing the construction of several notable buildings, including the Prince-Bishops' Residence in Würzburg, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the 18th century, the Ruppert surname gained further prominence with the birth of Jakob Ruppert (1724-1792), a German-American brewer and entrepreneur. He emigrated to New York City in the mid-1700s and established one of the earliest and most successful breweries in the region, laying the foundation for a family legacy that would continue for generations.

Another notable figure was Johann Ruppert (1819-1887), a German painter and lithographer from the city of Mainz. He was renowned for his exquisite landscapes and portraits, and his works can be found in various museums and private collections throughout Germany and beyond.

Throughout history, the Ruppert surname has been represented by individuals from various walks of life, including artisans, merchants, builders, artists, and entrepreneurs. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval Germany, its bearers have left their mark on diverse regions and cultures around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ruppert

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

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

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

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