Solt
An occupational surname derived from Middle High German "solde," meaning "pay" or "salary," likely referring to a mercenary soldier.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,296 Americans carry the last name Solt. That puts it at #14,991 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.67 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 149,283 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Solt 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
2.3K
1 in 149,283
Census rank
#14,991
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.0K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,971 bearers of the surname Solt in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.67 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 14991st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Solt, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Solt
The surname SOLT has its origins in Germany, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "salz," meaning salt, suggesting that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in the salt trade or production.
The earliest recorded instances of the name SOLT can be found in various historical records from the 13th century onwards. For example, it appears in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of medieval documents from the region of Saxony.
One notable bearer of the name SOLT was Konrad Solt, a German merchant and landowner who lived in the 14th century. Records indicate that he owned several salt mines and played a significant role in the salt trade in the region of Thuringia.
Another historical figure with the surname SOLT was Hans Solt, a German painter and engraver who lived in the 16th century (approximately 1500-1570). His works, which included religious scenes and portraits, can be found in various museums and collections across Europe.
In the 17th century, the SOLT name was also associated with Johann Solt (1604-1668), a German theologian and professor at the University of Jena. He was known for his writings on Protestant theology and his contributions to the development of Lutheran doctrine.
The name SOLT can also be traced back to various place names in Germany, such as Solthausen and Soltau, which may have influenced the development and spread of the surname in different regions.
Throughout its history, the surname SOLT has been recorded with various spelling variations, including Solte, Solth, and Soldt, reflecting the regional dialects and linguistic changes over time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Solt
Among Census respondents with the surname Solt, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Solt 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 Solt surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.2%
- Hispanic or Latino3.3%
- Two or more races1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- Unknown or suppressed0.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Solt 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 | #14,912 | #14,991 | -0.5% |
| Count | 1,821 | 1,971 | 8.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.68 | 0.67 | -1.5% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Solt bearers went from 1,821 to 1,971 (+8.2% change). The surname moved down 79 positions in the national ranking, going from #14,912 to #14,991.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Solt
FAQ
Solt surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Solt?
The surname Solt holds position #14,991 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,296 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.67 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Solt surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Solt, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Two or More Races (1.2%). 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.