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

Witzenburg, 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 Witzenburg surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Witzenburg in America

Witzenburg is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Witzenburg surname appeared 107 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 Witzenburg.

We can also compare 2010 data for Witzenburg 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 Witzenburg

The surname Witzenburg traces its origins to Germany, specifically from the medieval period. The name is believed to be toponymic, derived from the name of a place. The name Witzenburg likely originates from a compound of the German words "witzo," which could mean “white” or “wise,” and "burg," which means “castle” or “fortress.” This suggests that Witzenburg may have referred to a “white fortress” or a “wise fortress.”

The area most associated with the surname Witzenburg is Bavaria, a region in southern Germany known for its castles and fortifications. Similar spellings of the name include Witzenberg and Witzenberge, which may have been used interchangeably in historical records. The name appears in medieval manuscripts and land records, some dating back to the 13th century, showing the establishment of various families with the name intertwined with significant historical events.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Witzenburg is found in a 1293 Bavarian land deed, where a Heinrich von Witzenburg is mentioned. This document provides a glimpse into the established nobility and land ownership during that time. Another notable early reference is a 14th-century parish register from the city of Nuremberg, listing a family under the name Witzenberg, indicating variations in spelling.

Another significant figure in the history of the Witzenburg surname is Johan Witzenburg, born in 1486, who was known for his military exploits during the Bavarian War of Succession. Records from the 16th century indicate that the Witzenburg family held important positions within local governments, showing the name's prominence in the region.

In the 17th century, Anna Maria Witzenburg, born in 1624, gained attention due to her marriage into a prominent merchant family in Augsburg. Her roles in various civic activities were well-documented in town records, highlighting the family’s continued influence.

By the 18th century, the name had spread beyond Bavaria. A notable missionary, Friedrich Witzenburg, born in 1742 and later working in the British colonies in North America, contributed to the spread of the name overseas. His letters and correspondences during the American Revolution documented his efforts to establish religious congregations.

In the 19th century, the surname appears frequently in immigration records, as many Witzenburg families emigrated to the United States. One such family included Ludwig Witzenburg, born in 1809, who became a successful farmer in Pennsylvania. His descendants continued to use the surname, adapting to their new homeland.

Throughout history, the surname Witzenburg has shown variations in spelling and usage but remains a testament to the geographic and social movements of families and individuals across centuries. The name still carries echoes of its Bavarian origins and the legacy of those who bore it in various regions and periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Witzenburg

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

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

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

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