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

Teske, 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 Teske surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Teske in America

Teske is the 10731st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Teske surname appeared 2,975 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Teske.

We can also compare 2010 data for Teske 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 Teske

The surname Teske has its origins in Germany, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is believed to have evolved from the Old German word "tesca," which translates to "thicket" or "bush," suggesting that the original bearers of this surname may have resided near a densely wooded area or were perhaps involved in occupations related to forestry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Teske surname can be traced back to the 13th century, where it appears in various historical documents and records from the regions of Saxony and Pomerania in northern Germany. These early mentions often reference individuals with similar spellings, such as "Tescke" or "Teschke," indicating the fluidity of the name's spelling over time.

In the 14th century, the Teske name gained prominence with the rise of a prominent family of merchants and landowners in the city of Rostock, located in the present-day state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This family played a significant role in the economic and political affairs of the region during that period, and their influence can be seen in various historical accounts and records from the time.

One notable figure bearing the Teske name was Hans Teske, a respected scholar and theologian who lived in the late 15th century. Born in 1463 in the town of Stralsund, Hans Teske made significant contributions to the field of theology and was widely respected for his academic pursuits and writings.

During the 16th century, the Teske surname continued to spread throughout Germany, with mentions found in various town and village records. One such example is Johann Teske, a renowned clockmaker from the city of Augsburg, who gained recognition for his intricate and beautifully crafted timepieces, which were highly sought after by the nobility and wealthy patrons of the era. Johann Teske lived from 1523 to 1597.

In the 17th century, the Teske name gained further prominence with the rise of Heinrich Teske, a prominent military commander who served in the Thirty Years' War. Heinrich Teske, born in 1608 in the town of Magdeburg, was known for his strategic acumen and bravery on the battlefield, earning him a reputation as a skilled leader and soldier.

As the centuries passed, the Teske surname continued to spread throughout Germany and eventually made its way to other parts of Europe and the world, carried by emigrants and settlers seeking new opportunities and horizons. While the name's origins may be rooted in the German countryside, its legacy has transcended borders and become a part of the rich tapestry of global cultures and histories.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Teske

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

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

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

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