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

Windisch, 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 Windisch surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Windisch in America

Windisch is the 27110th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Windisch surname appeared 893 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 Windisch.

We can also compare 2010 data for Windisch 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 Windisch

The surname Windisch has its origins in Central Europe, particularly in the regions of Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. The name is derived from the Old High German word "windisc," which means "Wend," referring to a member of the Slavic tribes known as the Wends. These tribes inhabited various parts of Eastern Germany, Poland, and the Pannonian Basin during the early medieval period. The term was used to distinguish the Slavic inhabitants from the Germanic settlers.

The earliest historical references to the surname Windisch date back to the early medieval period. For instance, the name appears in feudal records from the Holy Roman Empire. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in a 12th-century document from Austria, mentioning a nobleman named Heinrich Windisch, who was known for his contributions to the construction of local fortifications.

The surname also has historical connections to specific place names. In Austria, the town of Windischgarsten in the state of Upper Austria is one such example. This town likely contributed to the adoption of the surname by families living in or around the area. Variations in the spelling, such as Windischgrätz, can also be observed in historical records, indicating regional adaptations of the name.

One of the prominent historical figures bearing the surname was Alfred Windisch-Graetz (1851–1927), an influential Austrian general and statesman. He was a significant figure during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and played a crucial role in various military and political events of his time. His contributions to the empire are well-documented and add to the historical significance of the surname.

Another notable individual was Gustav Windisch in the late 19th century. Born in Germany, he was a renowned industrialist and philanthropist known for his work in the textile industry. His efforts in improving labor conditions and advancing industrial technology left a lasting impact on German industry.

The surname Windisch has also made its way into religious history. Johann Windisch (1797–1862) was a well-known Protestant theologian and clergyman from Leipzig, Germany. He was an influential figure in the religious reforms of the 19th century and contributed several theological works that are still referenced today.

In the realm of academia, Friedrich Windisch (1811–1879) was a distinguished scholar and linguist who specialized in Slavic languages. His research and publications significantly advanced the understanding of Slavic linguistics and contributed to the field of comparative language studies.

Elisabeth Windisch (1884–1971) was another prominent figure, known for her work in the field of nursing and hospital administration in Austria. She played a vital role during World War I, organizing medical services and improving healthcare facilities for soldiers and civilians alike.

Overall, the surname Windisch has a rich and diverse history, with roots deeply embedded in medieval Europe. Its association with various historical figures and contributions to different fields highlights the surname's longstanding significance across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Windisch

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

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

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

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