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

Virnig, 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 Virnig surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Virnig in America

Virnig is the 31824th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Virnig surname appeared 725 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 Virnig.

We can also compare 2010 data for Virnig 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 Virnig

The surname Virnig is believed to have originated in Germany, specifically in the region of Bavaria. It likely emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old German word "virne," which means "green" or "verdant."

One of the earliest written records of the Virnig surname can be found in the Bavarian town of Ingolstadt, where a family by the name of Virnig is mentioned in a local registry from the year 1487. This document suggests that the Virnig family may have been landowners or farmers in the area, as the name is often associated with rural and agricultural roots.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Hans Virnig (1522-1591) was documented as a master woodcarver and sculptor in the city of Nuremberg. His intricate works adorned churches and public buildings throughout the region, and his legacy as a skilled artisan has been preserved in various historical accounts.

During the 17th century, the Virnig name appeared in the records of the Thirty Years' War, where a soldier named Wilhelm Virnig (1610-1678) was mentioned for his service in the German Protestant forces. This suggests that the Virnig family may have had a military presence during this tumultuous period of European history.

In the late 18th century, a philosopher and educator named Johann Virnig (1746-1812) gained recognition for his work on educational reform and his advocacy for progressive teaching methods. He was influential in the development of modern educational practices in Germany during the Enlightenment period.

Another notable figure bearing the Virnig surname was Katharina Virnig (1879-1945), a renowned opera singer who performed in various prestigious venues across Europe in the early 20th century. Her powerful soprano voice and stage presence earned her critical acclaim and a place in the annals of German operatic history.

While the surname Virnig may not be as widespread as some other German names, its history and origins can be traced back several centuries, with various notable individuals contributing to its legacy across different fields and professions throughout the years.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Virnig

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

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

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

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