Silberg
A habitational surname derived from a place name, likely of German or Scandinavian origin.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Silberg. That puts it at #85,659 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Silberg 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
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#85,659
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
218
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 218 bearers of the surname Silberg in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 85659th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Silberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Silberg
The surname Silberg is of Swedish origin, with its roots traced back to the 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the Swedish word "silber," which translates to "silver" in English. This suggests a possible connection to the occupation of a silversmith or a person involved in the silver trade.
The earliest known mention of the Silberg name can be found in historical documents from the city of Göteborg, Sweden, dating back to the late 1600s. These records indicate that a family by the name of Silberg was residing in the area during that time period.
In the 18th century, the Silberg name appeared in the parish records of Skara, a city located in the western region of Sweden. This suggests that the family had established itself in various parts of the country over time.
One notable figure bearing the Silberg surname was Hans Silberg, a Swedish merchant and trader who lived between 1720 and 1789. He was known for his extensive business ventures, particularly in the import and export of goods across the Baltic Sea region.
Another prominent individual was Anna Silberg (1801-1875), a Swedish author and poet who gained recognition for her romantic novels and poetic works in the mid-19th century.
In the early 20th century, the Silberg name can be found in historical records from the city of Stockholm, where a family by that name resided. One member, Erik Silberg (1892-1967), was a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in the Swedish capital.
The name Silberg also appears in historical documents from Norway, indicating a possible migration of individuals bearing this surname from Sweden to neighboring regions.
One such example is Johan Silberg (1832-1911), a Norwegian businessman and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the country's timber industry.
It is worth noting that variations of the Silberg name existed throughout history, such as Silbergh and Silbärg, which can be traced back to different regions and time periods in Scandinavia.
While the Silberg surname is not among the most common in Sweden or Norway today, its roots can be traced back several centuries, with a rich history spanning various occupations and contributions to society.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Silberg
Among Census respondents with the surname Silberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Silberg 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 Silberg surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.5%
- Unknown or suppressed3.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Silberg 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 | #62,775 | #85,659 | -36.5% |
| Count | 298 | 218 | -26.8% |
| Per 100K | 0.11 | 0.07 | -36.4% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Silberg bearers went from 298 to 218 (-26.8% change). The surname moved down 22,884 positions in the national ranking, going from #62,775 to #85,659.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Silberg
FAQ
Silberg surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Silberg?
The surname Silberg holds position #85,659 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Silberg surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Silberg, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (2.3%). 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.