Stilz last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Stilz

Germanic occupational surname derived from the job of making wooden stilts or stools.

Stilz, 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 Stilz surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Stilz in America

Stilz is the 125639th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Stilz surname appeared 126 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Stilz.

The history of the last name Stilz

The surname Stilz has its origins in Germany, particularly within the regions of Bavaria and the Rhineland. It is believed to have first emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 14th century. The name is derived from older Germanic terms which relate to physical characteristics, such as the Old High German word "stilla," which means "stealthy" or "silent," often indicating a person known for being quiet or discreet.

A notable early reference to the surname Stilz can be found in various medieval records. For example, an individual named Johann Stilz is mentioned in a Bavarian land registry from the late 15th century. Records such as these were crucial in documenting property ownership and lineage, reflecting the agricultural and feudal systems of the time.

Another early example includes a manuscript from the early 16th century that lists a Michael Stilz as a resident of a small village near Frankfurt. During this period, surnames were often adapted based on profession, personal traits, or local geography, which helps explain the variations in spellings and derivations over time.

One of the earliest figures is Hans Stilz, born circa 1530, who was known for his contributions to early cartography in the Rhineland. His maps were among the primary sources for understanding the geographical and political landscape of the region during this era.

By the late 17th century, another significant individual was Maria Stilz, born in 1678, who gained recognition as one of the early female writers and poets within the Bavarian literary circles. Her works, though not widely published during her lifetime, provided valuable insights into the life and culture of the time.

Moving into the 18th century, we see figures such as Georg Friedrich Stilz, born in 1725, who was an influential craftsman and guild member in Vienna. His exceptional woodworking skills earned him a reputation that extended beyond his local community, showcasing the Stilz name in the European artisan network.

Lastly, in the 19th century, Heinrich Stilz, born in 1803, became a renowned academic in Berlin, specializing in philosophy and logic. His scholarly work and publications left a lasting imprint on the academic circles of his era, contributing significantly to the intellectual discourse of his time.

These historical figures and records illustrate the rich lineage and varied contributions of individuals bearing the Stilz name, from medieval cartographers and poets to craftsman and academics. The surname continues to be a testament to its historical roots in Germanic culture and society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Stilz

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Stilz was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 94.44% 119
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin 4.76% 6

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.

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

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

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"Stilz last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/stilz-surname-popularity/.

"Stilz last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/stilz-surname-popularity/. Accessed 16 July, 2025

Stilz last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/stilz-surname-popularity/.

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