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

Rutz, 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 Rutz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rutz in America

Rutz is the 9854th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rutz surname appeared 3,282 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Rutz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rutz 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 Rutz

The surname Rutz is believed to have originated in Switzerland, particularly in the canton of Graubünden, in the late Middle Ages. The name is thought to be derived from the German word "Rutz," which means "clearing" or "area cleared of trees."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Rutz can be found in the Swiss village of Tschiertschen, where a document from the year 1466 mentions a man named Hans Rutz. This document is part of the historical archives of the region and provides valuable insight into the early use of the name.

In the 16th century, the Rutz surname appeared in various records and documents across Switzerland, particularly in the cantons of Graubünden, St. Gallen, and Appenzell. During this time, the name was often spelled in different variations, such as Rutz, Rütz, and Ruz, reflecting the regional dialects and orthographic conventions of the time.

One notable bearer of the Rutz surname was Jakob Rutz (1533-1600), a Swiss Protestant reformer and theologian from Graubünden. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Reformed Church in Switzerland and authored several theological works.

In the 17th century, the Rutz family spread beyond Switzerland, with some members settling in neighboring regions of Germany and Austria. One example is Johann Rutz (1638-1712), a German-Swiss architect and builder who worked on several notable projects in the city of Augsburg, Germany.

The 18th century saw the rise of another notable figure with the Rutz surname, Johann Jakob Rutz (1745-1821). He was a Swiss painter and engraver from St. Gallen, known for his landscapes and portraits. His works can be found in various museums and private collections across Switzerland.

As the Rutz family continued to expand and migrate, their name appeared in different parts of Europe and even beyond. For instance, in the 19th century, there was a Swiss-American farmer named Johann Rutz (1818-1896) who settled in the state of Wisconsin, United States.

Another significant figure with the Rutz surname was the German philosopher and psychologist Wilhelm Rutz (1880-1940). He made important contributions to the field of psychology and was known for his work on the psychology of values and attitudes.

Throughout history, the surname Rutz has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, craftsmen, and professionals. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, its origins can be traced back to the Swiss region of Graubünden, where it first emerged as a surname associated with the clearing of forested areas.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rutz

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

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

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

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