Explore the Family Name Breitenbach
The meaning of Breitenbach
German and Jewish (western Ashkenazic): habitational name from any of numerous places called Breitenbach or Breidenbach, meaning ‘broad stream’, for example in Westphalia, Rhineland, and Hesse. Compare Breitbach. Some characteristic forenames: German Kurt, Dieter, Fritz, Juergen, Otto.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Breitenbach in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Breitenbach has seen a slight decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 17,895 with a count of 1,442, equating to approximately 0.53 per 100k. By 2010, the ranking had fallen slightly to 18,939, with the count remaining relatively stable at 1,441, making it roughly 0.49 per 100k. This represents a marginal decline of about 5.83% in rank and 0.07% in count over the decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #17,895 | #18,939 | -5.83% |
| Count | 1,442 | 1,441 | -0.07% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.53 | 0.49 | -7.55% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Breitenbach
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates changes within the Breitenbach community over the same decade. In 2000, the majority of people with the Breitenbach surname identified as White (96.26%), followed by smaller proportions identifying as Black (1.18%) and Hispanic (1.04%), while some individuals reported multiple ethnic identities (0.90%). No individuals identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native. By 2010, the percentage of those identifying as White had dropped slightly to 95.21%, while the proportions of those identifying as Hispanic and Black increased to 1.94% and 1.32% respectively. Interestingly, there were no individuals reporting multiple ethnicities, but a small proportion (0.90%) now identified as Asian/Pacific Islander.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.26% | 95.21% | -1.09% |
| Hispanic | 1.04% | 1.94% | 86.54% |
| Black | 1.18% | 1.32% | 11.86% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.9% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.9% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |