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

Springer, 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 Springer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Springer in America

Springer is the 1107th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Springer surname appeared 31,643 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 11 people would have the surname Springer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Springer 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 Springer

The surname Springer has its origins in the German language, deriving from the word "springer," which translates to "jumper" or "dancer." It is believed to have emerged as an occupational surname during the Middle Ages, likely referring to individuals who performed as leapers, tumblers, or dancers.

The earliest recorded instances of the Springer surname can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Germany, including Bavaria and Saxony. Historical records from this period often referred to individuals by their occupation or distinguishing characteristic, which could explain the adoption of the Springer surname.

One notable mention of the Springer name can be found in the Rottweil Annals, a chronicle written in the late 13th century, which documents the activities of a town council member named Cunrat Springer in the year 1286.

In the 14th century, the surname Springer began to appear in various German cities and towns, including Nuremberg, where a certain Heinrich Springer was recorded as a resident in 1349. This suggests that the name had spread across different regions of Germany by that time.

During the 16th century, the Springer surname gained prominence with several notable individuals bearing the name. One such individual was Johannes Springer (1520-1584), a German theologian and Reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation.

Another prominent figure was Bartholomäus Springer (1530-1591), a German historian and rector of the University of Wittenberg, known for his writings on the history of Saxony.

In the 17th century, the surname Springer found its way to the Netherlands, where a family of that name settled in the city of Amsterdam. One of the earliest recorded members of this family was Pieter Springer (1600-1670), a successful merchant and alderman.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Johann Springer (1737-1817), a German mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of mechanics and is considered one of the pioneers of modern engineering.

As the Springer surname spread across Europe, it also gained prominence in other regions. One notable individual was William Springer (1819-1891), an American politician and lawyer who served as a judge in the Illinois Supreme Court and played a key role in the state's legal system.

Throughout its history, the Springer surname has been associated with various occupations, professions, and achievements, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name. While its origins can be traced back to the German language and the Middle Ages, the name has since transcended borders and cultures, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Springer

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

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

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

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