Explore the Family Name Mergenthaler
The meaning of Mergenthaler
German: habitational name for someone from a place called Mergenthal in Saxony or Bohemia, probably named with a pet form of the personal name Maria + Middle High German tal ‘valley’. History: Ottmar Mergenthaler, the inventor of the Linotype print-composing machine, was born into a poor family in Hachtel, Germany. He emigrated to North America in 1872, his fare paid for by a family friend. At the time of his death in 1899, Mergenthaler held over 50 patents. Some characteristic forenames: German Otto.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Mergenthaler in the United States?
The surname Mergenthaler has seen a slight increase in popularity between the two most recent Decennial U.S. Censuses. In 2000, it was ranked 40,552nd in terms of prevalence, and by 2010, it had climbed to 39,555th place, representing a growth of 2.46%. The number of individuals with this surname also rose from 508 in 2000 to 556 in 2010, signifying a 9.45% growth rate. However, the proportion of people named Mergenthaler per 100,000 remained consistent at 0.19.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #40,552 | #39,555 | 2.46% |
| Count | 508 | 556 | 9.45% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Mergenthaler
In terms of ethnicity, according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the vast majority of individuals with the surname Mergenthaler identified as White in both 2000 and 2010. The percentage did see a small decrease over that decade, moving from 96.65% to 95.14%. There was a notable increase in the percentage of Mergenthalers who identified as belonging to two or more races (a rise of 30.43%) and those identifying as Hispanic (an increase of 60.51%). No Mergenthalers identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native during either census period.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.65% | 95.14% | -1.56% |
| Hispanic | 1.57% | 2.52% | 60.51% |
| Two or More Races | 1.38% | 1.8% | 30.43% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |