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

Steffensmeier, 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 Steffensmeier surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Steffensmeier in America

Steffensmeier is the 37288th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Steffensmeier surname appeared 598 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Steffensmeier.

We can also compare 2010 data for Steffensmeier 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 Steffensmeier

The surname "STEFFENSMEIER" is of German origin, tracing its roots back to the late 16th century. It likely originated in the northern regions of present-day Germany, particularly in the areas around Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. The name is a combination of two distinct elements: "Steffens," derived from the personal name "Stephan" or "Steven," and "meier," a German occupational term meaning "bailiff" or "steward."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in a municipal document from the town of Lübeck, dated 1592, where a certain "Hans Steffensmeier" is mentioned as a local landowner. This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who held positions of authority or oversight on agricultural estates or manors.

In the 17th century, the surname is found in several church records from the region, indicating its gradual spread and establishment among the local population. Notable examples include the birth of Johann Steffensmeier in Rendsburg in 1624 and the marriage of Anna Steffensmeier to Claus Müller in Itzehoe in 1671.

As the name became more widespread, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Steffensmeyer," "Steffensmayer," and "Steffensmier." These variations likely reflect regional dialects and local adaptations of the original name.

One of the earliest documented individuals bearing this surname was Friedrich Steffensmeier, a Lutheran clergyman born in Kiel in 1712. He served as a pastor in various parishes throughout northern Germany and authored several theological treatises during his lifetime.

Another notable figure from the 18th century was Johann Steffensmeier (1738-1819), a merchant and ship owner from Lübeck. He played a significant role in the city's maritime trade and was instrumental in establishing new trade routes with the Baltic regions.

In the 19th century, the name gained prominence with individuals like Wilhelm Steffensmeier (1831-1901), a renowned German educator and advocate for educational reforms. He published several influential works on teaching methodologies and was widely respected for his progressive ideas on childhood education.

Another individual of note was Carl Steffensmeier (1856-1923), a German-American architect who left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of Chicago. He designed numerous notable buildings in the city, including the Auditorium Building and several landmark churches.

Throughout its history, the surname "STEFFENSMEIER" has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergy, merchants, educators, architects, and more. While its origins can be traced back to northern Germany, the name has since spread across the globe, reflecting the migration patterns and diverse experiences of those who bear it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Steffensmeier

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

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

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

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