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

Sein, 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 Sein surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sein in America

Sein is the 30825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sein surname appeared 755 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 Sein.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sein 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 Sein

The surname Sein has its origins in Germany, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "sein," meaning "to be" or "to exist." The name was likely given to individuals who had a strong presence or were known for their assertive nature.

One of the earliest documented references to the Sein surname can be found in the German city of Nuremberg, where a merchant named Hans Sein was recorded in historical records from 1523. Additionally, the Sein family had a notable presence in the town of Erfurt during the 16th and 17th centuries, with several members holding prominent positions within the local guild system.

In the 18th century, the Sein name spread across various regions of Germany, with records indicating individuals bearing this surname in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. During this period, the name also underwent minor spelling variations, including Seyn and Seinn, although the original form of Sein remained the most common.

One notable figure with the Sein surname was Johann Sein (1688-1751), a German composer and organist who served at the court of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar. His compositions, primarily for organ and harpsichord, were highly regarded during his lifetime and contributed to the development of German Baroque music.

Another individual of historical significance was Wilhelm Sein (1798-1872), a German politician and lawyer who played a significant role in the Frankfurt Parliament during the Revolutions of 1848. He was a staunch advocate for liberal reforms and worked tirelessly to promote constitutional monarchy in Germany.

In the 19th century, the Sein surname began to spread beyond Germany's borders, with individuals bearing this name emigrating to various parts of Europe and, later, to the Americas. One such individual was Heinrich Sein (1823-1901), a German-American engineer who made significant contributions to the development of early steam engines and locomotives.

Another notable figure was Anna Sein (1867-1945), a German-born American educator and women's rights activist. She was instrumental in establishing several educational institutions in the United States and was a vocal advocate for equal opportunities for women in academia and various professions.

While the surname Sein may not be as widespread as some other German surnames, it has left an indelible mark on history, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions across various fields, from music and politics to engineering and education.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sein

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

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

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

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