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

Seh, 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 Seh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Seh in America

Seh is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Seh surname appeared 122 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Seh.

The history of the last name Seh

The surname "Seh" is of German origin, with its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated in the region of Saxony, where it was likely derived from the Old German word "sehne," meaning "tendon" or "sinew." This connection suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone with a muscular or sinewy physique.

In the 13th century, records show the earliest known spelling of the name as "Sehe," which was later modified to its current form, "Seh." One of the earliest documented references to this surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of medieval charters and documents from Saxony, where a certain "Johannes Sehe" is mentioned in a land transaction dated 1287.

During the 14th century, the name began to spread beyond Saxony, with various spellings appearing in different regions of Germany. In the Bavarian town of Augsburg, a merchant named "Hans Seh" is recorded in the city's tax records from 1362. Similarly, in the northern city of Hamburg, a "Claus Sehe" is listed among the guild members of the local brewers' association in 1378.

As the name continued to evolve over the centuries, it has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Johann Seh (1495-1555), a German theologian and Protestant reformer who played a significant role in the Reformation movement in Saxony. Another notable bearer of the name was Friedrich Seh (1690-1762), a German architect and engineer who was renowned for his work on several churches and fortifications in the city of Dresden.

In the 19th century, the name gained further prominence with the birth of Karl Seh (1825-1901), a German industrialist and entrepreneur who founded one of the largest steel manufacturing companies in Europe. His grandson, Ernst Seh (1868-1942), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the German steel industry during the early 20th century.

Another notable bearer of the surname was the German painter and printmaker, Max Seh (1881-1956), whose works were heavily influenced by the Expressionist movement. His art gained significant recognition during his lifetime and can be found in various museums and private collections around the world.

While the surname "Seh" has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through immigration and migration. However, its origins and connection to the Old German language and the region of Saxony remain an integral part of its historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Seh

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

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 Seh 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.

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

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

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