Explore the Family Name Gatz
The meaning of Gatz
1. German: from Gato, a short form of an old personal name formed with the same root as Middle High German gate ‘companion’. 2. German: topographic name from Middle Low German gatze ‘alley way, (side)street’. 3. German: habitational name from a place so named in Pomerania (now in Poland). 4. Americanized or Germanized form of Polish Gac.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Gatz in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Gatz has seen a slight decrease in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked as the 18,397th most popular surname, with an occurrence of 1,387 individuals. However, by 2010, it had slipped to the 20,364th position, with 1,305 individuals bearing the name. This represents a decline in popularity by 10.69% and a reduction in count by 5.91%. The proportion per 100k also decreased by 13.73%, indicating that although the name is still in use, its prevalence among the population is lessening.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #18,397 | #20,364 | -10.69% |
| Count | 1,387 | 1,305 | -5.91% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.51 | 0.44 | -13.73% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Gatz
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows a majority of people with the surname Gatz identify as White, although this percentage slightly fell from 97.19% in 2000 to 95.94% in 2010. There were no recorded instances of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or Black in either year. The percentage of those identifying as Hispanic increased by 58.62%, albeit from a small base of 0.87% in 2000 to 1.38% in 2010. Similarly, there was a significant rise of 95.35% in individuals identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native, but this also started from a low base of 0.43% in 2000. The percentage of individuals with mixed ethnicity rose by 21.78% over the decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.19% | 95.94% | -1.29% |
| Hispanic | 0.87% | 1.38% | 58.62% |
| Two or More Races | 1.01% | 1.23% | 21.78% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.43% | 0.84% | 95.35% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |