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

Teifer, 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 Teifer surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Teifer in America

Teifer is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Teifer surname appeared 102 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 Teifer.

The history of the last name Teifer

The surname Teifer is most likely of German origin. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name likely originated in the regions of Germany that now correspond to modern-day Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg. These areas were known for their dense populations and complex feudal structures, which often resulted in the development of distinct surnames.

The name Teifer may be derived from the Middle High German word "tiefer," which means "deeper." This could have been a nickname for someone who lived in a low-lying area or possibly described a trait or characteristic of the original bearer. Another possibility is that it could be related to occupations or locations that involved mining or other activities below the ground level, which were common in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in a 14th-century manuscript from the Bavarian region, where a Hans Teifer is mentioned in property records dated to 1374. This reference suggests that the name was well-established by that time and linked to the ownership of land or farming activities.

In the 16th century, records from the city of Augsburg, a significant commercial and financial hub in Southern Germany, mention a Wilhelm Teifer, a merchant who was active between 1540 and 1580. His involvement in trade suggests that the family may have had mercantile interests, leveraging the growing trade networks in Europe during the Renaissance.

A notable figure bearing the surname was Johann Teifer, a scholar and cleric born in 1612 and who passed away in 1678. He was known for his theological writings and served as a pastor in the town of Ulm. His contributions to local religious thought and literature were significant, and his works were well-regarded in ecclesiastical circles.

The surname appears again in the early 18th century, with a record of Friedrich Teifer, an artisan clockmaker born in 1685 and involved in the intricate craft of horology in Nuremberg. His workshop was renowned for producing high-quality timepieces, which were sought after by the European nobility.

In the 19th century, records from immigration ports in the United States note the arrival of Heinrich Teifer from Hamburg in 1852. He was part of the wave of German immigrants seeking new opportunities in America and settled in Pennsylvania, contributing to the growth of the German-American community in the region.

The surname Teifer, while not exceedingly common, has left its mark on various historical records, demonstrating the diverse roles and regions associated with this name over the centuries. Its origins in Germany and subsequent appearances in different historical contexts underscore the multifaceted nature of surnames and their evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Teifer

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

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 Teifer 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.

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

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

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