Thune
A surname derived from an Old English word meaning "dense" or "firm".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 617 Americans carry the last name Thune. That puts it at #41,038 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.18 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 555,518 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Thune 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
617
1 in 555,518
Census rank
#41,038
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
531
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 531 bearers of the surname Thune in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 41038th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Thune, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Thune
The surname THUNE has its roots in Germany, where it originated in the Middle Ages, likely in the 12th or 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old German word "thun," meaning "to do" or "to make." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a person's occupation or trade.
In the early medieval period, surnames were often derived from a person's place of origin, occupation, physical characteristics, or a distinguishing trait. The THUNE surname could have been given to someone who was known for their diligence or skill in a particular craft or profession.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the THUNE name can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the state of Saxony, Germany. In this collection, a certain "Johannes Thune" is mentioned in a document dated 1345.
Another notable historical reference is in the Urkundenbuch der Stadt Hildesheim, a collection of records from the city of Hildesheim in Lower Saxony, Germany. Here, a "Hinricus Thune" is documented in the year 1389.
Over the centuries, the THUNE surname has been subject to various spelling variations, such as Thun, Thunen, and Thunne. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.
One notable bearer of the THUNE surname was Johannes Thune (c. 1460 - 1523), a German scholar and humanist who served as a professor at the University of Leipzig. Another was Matthias Thune (1580 - 1635), a German Protestant theologian and pastor who played a significant role in the religious controversies of his time.
In the 17th century, the surname can be found in records from the town of Norderney, located in the German state of Lower Saxony. One such record mentions a "Gerd Thune," who was a landowner and farmer in the area.
Moving into the 18th century, a notable figure was Johann Christian Thune (1738 - 1828), a German painter and engraver known for his landscapes and portraits. He was a member of the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts.
In the 19th century, Karl Thune (1821 - 1888) was a German jurist and politician who served as a member of the Reichstag, the parliament of the German Empire.
While these are just a few examples, the THUNE surname has been carried by numerous individuals throughout history, reflecting its German origins and the diverse paths its bearers have taken.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Thune
Among Census respondents with the surname Thune, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Thune 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 Thune surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.0%
- Hispanic or Latino1.5%
- Two or more races1.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Thune 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #41,038 | #41,038 | 0.0% |
| Count | 531 | 531 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Thune bearers went from 531 to 531 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #41,038 to #41,038.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Thune
FAQ
Thune surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Thune?
The surname Thune holds position #41,038 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 617 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Thune surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Thune, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.1%). 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.