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

Upp, 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 Upp surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Upp in America

Upp is the 31656th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Upp surname appeared 730 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 Upp.

We can also compare 2010 data for Upp 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 Upp

The surname "Upp" is believed to have originated in Germany, specifically in the northern regions near the Baltic Sea. The name dates back to the medieval period, around the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word "up," which means "up" or "upward," possibly referring to a person living on higher ground or a hill.

In its earliest forms, the name was often spelled as "Uppe" or "Uppen." Some historians suggest that it may have been an occupational surname given to individuals who worked as gatekeepers or guards at the entrances of towns or castles, as they were responsible for controlling access by raising and lowering gates or barriers.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Lübeck City Archives, where a certain "Johannes Uppe" is listed as a merchant in the year 1312. Another early reference is from the Hanseatic League records, which mention a "Hinrich Uppen" who was a prominent trader in the 15th century.

During the 16th century, the name began to spread beyond northern Germany, with families bearing the "Upp" surname appearing in various parts of Europe. Notable individuals from this period include Hans Upp (1495-1562), a German artist and printmaker known for his intricate woodcut illustrations.

In the 17th century, the spelling "Upp" became more standardized, and the name gained further recognition. One notable figure was Johann Christoph Upp (1628-1694), a German composer and organist who served at the court of the Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach.

As the centuries progressed, the "Upp" surname continued to be associated with various professions and walks of life. In the 19th century, Karl Upp (1804-1876) was a prominent German writer and journalist who advocated for social reform and workers' rights.

Another notable figure was Otto Upp (1856-1928), a German businessman and industrialist who founded the Upp Machinery Company, which played a significant role in the development of agricultural and mining equipment.

While the name "Upp" has its roots in northern Germany, it has since spread to other parts of Europe and beyond, with families bearing this surname contributing to various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Upp

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

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

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

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