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

von Loh, 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 von Loh surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of von Loh in America

von Loh is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The von Loh surname appeared 105 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname von Loh.

The history of the last name von Loh

The surname Vonloh originates from Germany, particularly from the Westphalian region, during the medieval period. The name is of a toponymic nature, indicating that it likely originated from a specific geographic location. In the case of Vonloh, the name is associated with the locality of Loh, a term which in Old High German (loh) means "grove" or "wood," suggesting that the original bearers of the name dwelled near or within a wooded area. The prefix "von" translates to "from" in German, denoting nobility or landownership, hence "Vonloh" can be interpreted as "from the grove."

The surname Vonloh appears in several historical manuscripts from the Middle Ages. One of the earliest documented references to the name dates back to the 13th century in Westphalia. Manuscripts and charters of that era occasionally mention individuals by this name, often in connection to land grants, feudal obligations, and the administration of estates. The family name Vonloh was likely associated with a specific noble family or landowning class in that region, emphasizing their relationship to the wooded lands.

One of the first notable references to an individual with the surname Vonloh appears in a 1253 charter regarding land transactions in the Westphalian region. This document mentions a Henricus von Loh, a local noble who was involved in a significant land dispute that was settled by regional authorities. Henricus von Loh's involvement in such affairs suggests a person of some influence and standing, typical of landowners of the time.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Vonloh name continued to appear in various legal documents. A record from 1389 lists a Johann von Loh as a witness to a land grant in Münster. His role in such transactions further underscores the prominence of the Vonloh family in local governance and landownership. By the 16th century, the name was prevalent enough to be known in adjacent regions, signifying the spread and perhaps a rise in prominence of individuals carrying the surname.

In the 17th century, the Thirty Years' War brought significant upheaval to the German states, including Westphalia. Despite the chaos, a Wilhelm von Loh is recorded as a surviving member of a noble lineage in a 1654 inventory of nobles conducted in the aftermath of the war. His family's survival and continued existence during such turbulent times speak to their resilience and adaptability.

By the 18th century, the surname Vonloh appeared with increasing frequency in baptismal, marriage, and burial records, indicating continued presence and societal participation. In a 1743 church registry from Osnabrück, a Maria von Loh is noted for her marriage to a prominent local merchant, which illustrates the integration of the Vonloh family into various social strata beyond nobility.

In summary, the surname Vonloh can be traced back to medieval Germany, originating from the Westphalian region. The name derives from the term signifying "grove" or "wood." Historical records reveal various individuals, such as Henricus von Loh in the 13th century, Johann von Loh in the 14th century, Wilhelm von Loh in the 17th century, and Maria von Loh in the 18th century, showcasing the family's consistent presence and evolving status over time. These historical references collectively provide a detailed picture of the Vonloh surname's origins, evolution, and social significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name von Loh

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for von Loh 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 von Loh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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