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

Shuster, 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 Shuster surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shuster in America

Shuster is the 7515th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shuster surname appeared 4,428 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 Shuster.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shuster 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 Shuster

The surname SHUSTER has its origins in Germany, where it first emerged during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic word "schuster," which translates to "shoemaker" or "cobbler." This occupational surname was initially given to individuals who worked as shoemakers or cobblers, reflecting their trade and profession.

The earliest recorded instances of the SHUSTER surname can be traced back to the 14th century in various regions of Germany, including Bavaria and Saxony. In some historical records, the name appeared with slight variations in spelling, such as Schuster, Shuster, or Schühster.

One notable early reference to the name SHUSTER can be found in the Reichstag records of Nuremberg, dated around 1400, where a certain Hans Shuster was mentioned as a prominent shoemaker in the city. This document provides valuable insight into the occupation and social standing of individuals bearing this surname during that era.

In the 16th century, the SHUSTER name gained further prominence when Johannes Shuster (1505-1572), a German theologian and reformer, played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. Born in Nuremberg, he collaborated closely with Martin Luther and contributed to the translation of the Bible into German.

Another notable figure with the SHUSTER surname was Johann Christoph Shuster (1672-1728), a German composer and organist who served as the Kapellmeister (chapel master) at the court of the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. His compositions, particularly his sacred works, were highly regarded during his lifetime.

In the 19th century, the SHUSTER name was carried by Friedrich Wilhelm Shuster (1815-1889), a German historian and professor at the University of Halle. He made significant contributions to the study of ancient history, publishing works on Roman and Greek civilizations.

As the SHUSTER surname spread across Europe, it also found its way to other regions, including the United Kingdom and the United States. One prominent individual with this name was George Shuster (1894-1977), an American author, educator, and president of Hunter College in New York City. He was also a prominent figure in the Catholic intellectual community and served as a consultant to the Vatican.

Throughout its history, the SHUSTER surname has been associated with various occupations, from shoemakers and cobblers to theologians, musicians, historians, and educators. Its origins as an occupational surname reflect the importance of trades and crafts in medieval German society, while its subsequent spread and adaptation by individuals from diverse backgrounds showcase its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shuster

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

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

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

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