Explore the Family Name Tanzer
The meaning of Tanzer
1. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): nickname for a skilled or enthusiastic dancer, or, as a German name, an occupational name for a professional acrobat, from an agent derivative of Middle High German and German tanzen ‘to dance’ (Old French danser; the initial t- is the result of hypercorrection of a presumed Low German form). Among Jews, the name may have been taken by Chasidim, since members of this branch of Jewry (which arose in the 18th century) place great emphasis on dancing, and in some cases the name may have been ornamental. 2. English (Derbyshire): variant of Tanser, a habitational name from Tansor (Northamptonshire). The placename probably derives from an Old English personal name Tān (genitive Tānes) + Old English ōfer ‘bank’. This form of the surname is rare in Britain and Ireland.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Tanzer in the United States?
Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Tanzer has seen a significant decline from 2000 to 2010. Ranked at 30,264 in the year 2000, it dropped to 38,214 by 2010, marking a decrease of 26.27 percent. Moreover, the count of individuals bearing this surname also fell by 20.55 percent during the same decade. Consequently, the proportion per 100,000 people with the surname Tanzer slipped from 0.27 to 0.2, reflecting a decrease of approximately 25.93 percent.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #30,264 | #38,214 | -26.27% |
| Count | 730 | 580 | -20.55% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.27 | 0.2 | -25.93% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Tanzer
Regarding ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that the majority of Tanzers are of White ethnicity. From 2000 to 2010, the percentage of Tanzers who identify as White increased slightly from 95.34 percent to 96.38 percent. Meanwhile, the representation of Asian/Pacific Islander among Tanzers decreased to nil. The percentage of Tanzers who identify as Hispanic saw a minor reduction, going from 1.78 percent in 2000 to 1.55 percent in 2010. On a positive note, there was a small increase in the percentage of Tanzers identifying with two or more races, rising from 1.23 percent in 2000 to 1.55 percent in 2010. The data for Black and American Indian and Alaskan Native ethnicities were suppressed for privacy.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.34% | 96.38% | 1.09% |
| Two or More Races | 1.23% | 1.55% | 26.02% |
| Hispanic | 1.78% | 1.55% | -12.92% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.23% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |