Shuster
A Jewish occupational surname derived from the Polish word for "shoemaker" or "cobbler."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 5,141 Americans carry the last name Shuster. That puts it at #7,515 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.50 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 66,671 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Shuster surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
5.1K
1 in 66,671
Census rank
#7,515
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
4.4K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 4,428 bearers of the surname Shuster in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.50 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 7515th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Shuster, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of 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.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Shuster
Among Census respondents with the surname Shuster, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Shuster bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Shuster surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.3%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
- Black or African American0.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Shuster surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #7,085 | #7,515 | -6.1% |
| Count | 4,353 | 4,428 | 1.7% |
| Per 100K | 1.61 | 1.50 | -6.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Shuster bearers went from 4,353 to 4,428 (+1.7% change). The surname moved down 430 positions in the national ranking, going from #7,085 to #7,515.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Shuster
FAQ
Shuster surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Shuster?
The surname Shuster holds position #7,515 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 5,141 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.50 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Shuster surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Shuster, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Two or More Races (1.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.