Explore the Family Name Heft
The meaning of Heft
German: metonymic occupational name for a maker of hilts, clasps, and handles (for knives, swords, etc.), Middle High German hefte.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Heft in the United States?
The surname Heft, based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, saw a slight decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname ranked 19,174 in popularity with a count of approximately 1,310 individuals bearing this name. By 2010, its rank dropped to 20,565 with less people, about 1,289, bearing the name. This represents a 7.25% decrease in rank and a 1.6% decrease in count over the decade. The proportion per 100k people also dipped by 10.2%, indicating a general decline in the name's prevalence.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #19,174 | #20,565 | -7.25% |
| Count | 1,310 | 1,289 | -1.6% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.49 | 0.44 | -10.2% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Heft
In terms of ethnicity, again according to the Decennial U.S. Census, the Heft surname is primarily associated with people of White ethnic identity. In both 2000 and 2010, over 97% of individuals with the Heft surname identified as White, showing virtually no change over the decade. The percentage of Hefts identifying as Hispanic fell by 32.17%, while those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native also decreased by 36.07%. The data shows an increase in Hefts identifying with two or more races, up by 22.37%. However, there were no Hefts who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or Black in either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.18% | 97.21% | 0.03% |
| Two or More Races | 0.76% | 0.93% | 22.37% |
| Hispanic | 1.15% | 0.78% | -32.17% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.61% | 0.39% | -36.07% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |