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

Wittenmyer, 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 Wittenmyer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wittenmyer in America

Wittenmyer is the 45740th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wittenmyer surname appeared 467 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 Wittenmyer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wittenmyer 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 Wittenmyer

The surname Wittenmyer originates from Germany and its roots can be traced back to the medieval period. The name is primarily found in the regions of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. It likely derived from a combination of old German words, with "witten" meaning white or bright and "myer" (or "meyer") meaning steward or farmer. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have been prominent farmers or stewards known for their fair complexion or ethical prominence.

One of the earliest references to a similar spelling appears in documents from the 13th century, where variances like Wittenmeyr, Wittemyer, and Wittenmaier can be found. The use of different spellings across various regions reflected the localized dialects and phonetic interpretations of the time.

One historical reference to the surname can be found in the registers of land ownership and local governance that were maintained by medieval towns and cities. For instance, a record from 1267 mentions a Johannes Wittenmeyer as a landholder in southern Bavaria. The surname continued to evolve with minor orthographic variations but retained its core elements, holding onto its occupational and descriptive significance.

In the 16th century, local records in Baden-Württemberg mention a Wilhem Wittenmeyer, a notable farmer who was recorded in the town’s tax books and municipal council records. Another documented individual was Heinrich Wittenmeier, a steward of a large estate outside Munich in the early 17th century. His estate records detail various agricultural activities and represent one of the earliest substantial familial lines.

The name Wittenmyer reached a prominent place in American history as well. Mary Ann Bickerdyke Wittenmyer (1819-1906) was a significant figure in the Civil War, known for her work as a nurse and for founding numerous soldiers' homes and orphanages. She exemplified the name's transition from its European roots to a new context in the United States.

In the 19th century, notable individuals such as Hans Wittenmyer, an immigrant from Bavaria, made a mark in Pennsylvania in the United States, where he was a known mill owner. His contributions to the local economy were documented in regional business directories of the late 1800s.

Another person of historical significance is Charles Wittenmyer, who served as a state legislator in Ohio during the early 1900s. His legislative work includes several progressive reforms and he remained actively involved in public service until his death in 1926.

The surname Wittenmyer thus carries a rich heritage of agricultural significance, public service, and contributions to societal development both in Europe and the United States, ensuring its historical relevance over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wittenmyer

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

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

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

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