Explore the Family Name Polhemus
The meaning of Polhemus
Dutch: Latinized form of Polheim, a habitational name from a place in southern Germany or Switzerland. History: Johann Theodore Polheim, otherwise known as Johannes Theodorus Polhemus, was a 17th-century Lutheran minister, probably of German-Swiss origin. His earliest pastorates were probably in the Palatinate. In the early 1630s he was pastor at Meppel in the province of Overijssel, the Netherlands, then from 1637 to 1654 he was a pastor in the Dutch settlement in Brazil. When that settlement failed in 1656, he came to Amersfoort, New Netherland, as its first Dominie.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Polhemus in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Polhemus has seen a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Polhemus was ranked 19,695 in the United States, dropping to 21,320 by 2010, indicating a decrease of 8.25%. The number of individuals with this surname also fell from 1,266 in 2000 to 1,229 in 2010, a decrease of 2.92%. The proportion of individuals named Polhemus per 100,000 population decreased by 10.64%, going down from 0.47 to 0.42.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #19,695 | #21,320 | -8.25% |
| Count | 1,266 | 1,229 | -2.92% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.47 | 0.42 | -10.64% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Polhemus
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census reveals that the Polhemus surname is predominantly associated with White ethnic identity, accounting for 96.29% in 2000 and 95.28% in 2010, marking a minor decrease of 1.05%. In contrast, there was a significant increase in the Hispanic representation among those with the Polhemus surname, rising from 1.50% in 2000 to 3.09% in 2010. The Asian/Pacific Islander and Two or more races categories saw decreases of 37.97% and 29.13% respectively. While the Black category registered an increase from zero in 2000 to 0.41% in 2010, the American Indian and Alaskan Native category remained at zero in both years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.29% | 95.28% | -1.05% |
| Hispanic | 1.5% | 3.09% | 106% |
| Two or More Races | 1.03% | 0.73% | -29.13% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.79% | 0.49% | -37.97% |
| Black | 0% | 0.41% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |