Stahl
An occupational surname of German origin, referring to someone who worked with steel or was a steelworker.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 25,809 Americans carry the last name Stahl. That puts it at #1,619 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 7.53 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 13,280 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Stahl 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
26K
1 in 13,280
Census rank
#1,619
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
7.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
22K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 22,211 bearers of the surname Stahl in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 7.53 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1619th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Stahl, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Stahl
The surname Stahl is of German origin, with its roots traceable back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "Stahl," which means "steel" or "sword." This etymology suggests that the name may have been initially associated with metalworkers, swordsmiths, or individuals involved in the production or trade of steel.
The earliest known records of the Stahl surname can be found in various German regions, including Bavaria, Saxony, and the Rhineland. In the 14th century, the name appears in the records of the city of Nürnberg, where it was likely associated with the renowned metalworking industry of the region.
One of the earliest documented instances of the Stahl surname is found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. This record mentions a certain "Johannes Stahl," indicating the presence of the name in this region during that time period.
In the 16th century, the Stahl surname gained prominence with the birth of Georg Ernst Stahl (1659-1734), a renowned German chemist and physician. Stahl is known for his contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly his theory of phlogiston, which attempted to explain the process of combustion.
Another notable figure bearing the Stahl surname is Friedrich Julius Stahl (1802-1861), a German jurist and legal philosopher. He is best known for his work on the historical school of jurisprudence and his theory of the state as an organic entity.
In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the contributions of August Wilhelm Stahl (1813-1900), a German poet and writer. He is particularly renowned for his lyrical poetry and his works exploring the themes of nature and rural life.
The Stahl surname also found its way into the military annals, with the likes of General Johann Baptist Stahl (1619-1680), a prominent military commander during the Thirty Years' War. He served under the Holy Roman Empire and played a significant role in various battles.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning Carl Stahl (1848-1919), a German industrialist and entrepreneur who founded the Carl Stahl Company, a leading manufacturer of wire rope and lifting equipment. His contributions to the industrial sector left a lasting impact on the German economy.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Stahl
Among Census respondents with the surname Stahl, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Stahl 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 Stahl surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.2%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
- Black or African American0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Stahl 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 | #1,471 | #1,619 | -10.1% |
| Count | 22,163 | 22,211 | 0.2% |
| Per 100K | 8.22 | 7.53 | -8.4% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Stahl bearers went from 22,163 to 22,211 (+0.2% change). The surname moved down 148 positions in the national ranking, going from #1,471 to #1,619.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Stahl
FAQ
Stahl surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Stahl?
The surname Stahl holds position #1,619 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 25,809 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 7.53 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Stahl surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Stahl, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) 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.