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

Urs, 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 Urs surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Urs in America

Urs is the 107669th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Urs surname appeared 165 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 Urs.

The history of the last name Urs

The surname Urs has its origins in Germany, where it first emerged in the medieval period. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Urs, which in turn comes from the Old High German word "urso" meaning "bear." This name was initially given as a nickname to someone perceived as having bear-like qualities, such as strength or bravery.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Urs can be found in the Codex Traditionum Monasterii Sancti Galli, a medieval cartulary from the Abbey of Saint Gall in present-day Switzerland. This document, dating back to the 9th century, mentions an individual named "Urso" who was a landowner in the region.

Another notable historical reference to the name Urs comes from the Domesday Book, the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this record, an individual named "Ursus" is listed as holding land in the county of Berkshire.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure bearing the surname Urs was Arnold Urs von Bonstetten, a Swiss knight and military leader. He played a significant role in the Battle of Laupen in 1339, where the Swiss Confederates defeated the forces of the Habsburg dynasty.

During the Renaissance period, a notable individual with the surname Urs was Hans Urs von Balthasar (1505-1571), a Swiss merchant and diplomat. He served as the bailiff of Baden and was involved in negotiations between the Swiss Confederates and the Holy Roman Empire.

In the 18th century, Johann Jakob Urs (1702-1783) was a Swiss poet and theologian known for his religious works and contributions to the literature of the German Enlightenment.

Moving into the 19th century, one of the most famous individuals with the surname Urs was the Swiss painter Ferdinand Urs (1825-1898). He was renowned for his landscapes and alpine scenes, capturing the majesty of the Swiss mountains.

Another noteworthy figure was the German artist Hans Urs von Schulthess (1853-1938), known for his portraits and genre paintings. He was a member of the Munich Secession, a group of avant-garde artists who broke away from the traditional art establishment.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the surname Urs, showcasing its rich heritage and diverse representations across various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Urs

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

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

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

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