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

Wittmuss, 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 Wittmuss surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wittmuss in America

Wittmuss is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wittmuss surname appeared 101 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 Wittmuss.

The history of the last name Wittmuss

The surname Wittmuss has its origins in Germany, most likely dating back to the Middle Ages. The name appears to be derived from a combination of two German words: "witt," which could be related to "white" or "witty," and "muss," which could either be a variation of "mouse" or "Muss," an old term meaning "must" or "obligation." The surname likely originated in the northern regions of Germany, particularly around Lower Saxony or Schleswig-Holstein, where similar sounding names were prevalent during the medieval period.

Wittmuss first appears in historical records during the late 14th century. In an old municipal record from the Hanseatic League in 1385, a reference is made to a Berthold Wittmuss, who was a merchant involved in trading between Lübeck and Hamburg. Another early mention is found in a 1427 church registry from Bremen, listing a Johannes Wittmuss as a witness to a land transaction.

The Wittmuss family name also appears in the 16th-century tax rolls of the town of Lüneburg, indicating that the family had established some prominence and wealth. In these records, a Heinrich Wittmuss is noted in 1554, contributing significantly to local taxes, suggesting his involvement in trade or local governance.

One of the more noted individuals with the surname Wittmuss is Hans Wittmuss (1650-1715), a prominent miller from the region of Mecklenburg. His mill was renowned for its innovative design, which helped improve the efficiency of grain milling in the area. This innovation was considered ahead of its time and led to the proliferation of his techniques across northern Germany.

Another important historical figure bearing the surname Wittmuss is Carl Friedrich Wittmuss (1783-1846), a respected jurist and academic from the University of Göttingen. His contributions to German law, particularly in the field of natural law and early civil rights, made him a well-cited scholar of his time. Carl Friedrich was often invited to advise on legislative reforms during the early 19th century.

In the realms of arts and letters, Katharina Wittmuss (1832-1901) gained recognition as a writer and poet during the Romantic period. Her works, although not widely known outside German-speaking countries, express the zeitgeist of 19th-century German literary traditions. Her poetry often focused on themes of nature and human emotion, earning her a modest but dedicated following.

Finally, during the period of the German Empire, Otto Wittmuss (1875-1939), achieved prominence as an industrialist and philanthropist. His efforts in developing environmentally sustainable practices in the burgeoning chemical industry earned him honors from the Kaiser. Otto was also known for his donations to various educational and cultural institutions in Berlin and Hamburg.

The Wittmuss surname, while not extraordinarily common, carries with it a rich historical tapestry interwoven with notable contributions in various fields throughout German history. The name reflects a legacy of innovation, intellect, and cultural enrichment, deeply rooted in its medieval origins and evolving through subsequent centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wittmuss

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

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

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

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