Explore the Family Name Westen
The meaning of Westen
1. German, Dutch, and Jewish (Ashkenazic): from Middle High German, Middle Low German, Middle Dutch westen, German Westen ‘west’, hence a topographic name for someone who lived to the west of a settlement, or a habitational name for one who had migrated from further west. The Jewish name may also be of ornamental origin. 2. Swedish (mainly Westén): ornamental or habitational name formed with an altered form of the (placename) element väst ‘west’ + the adjectival suffix -én, a derivative of Latin -enius ‘relating to’. Compare Westin. 3. English (London): variant of Weston. Some characteristic forenames: Jewish Shosh, Shoshana. German Ulrich.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Westen in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Westen has seen a slight decrease over the course of a decade. In the year 2000, Westen was ranked at 49,869 in terms of popularity among surnames, and by 2010, it dropped to a rank of 58,042, indicating a 16.39% decrease in rank. The census count of individuals with this surname also saw a reduction, from 395 in 2000 to 350 in 2010, reflecting an 11.39% drop. Consequently, the proportion of people named Westen per 100,000 fell by 20%, from 0.15 in 2000 to 0.12 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #49,869 | #58,042 | -16.39% |
| Count | 395 | 350 | -11.39% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.15 | 0.12 | -20% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Westen
Turning our attention to the ethnicity associated with the surname Westen, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows a predominantly White ethnic identity. In 2000, about 92.66% of Westens identified as White, decreasing marginally to 91.71% in 2010. The percentage of those categorized as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native remained constant at 0%. There was a small but noticeable increase in the representation of multi-racial individuals and Hispanics within the Westen name bearers, from 0% in 2000 to 2.57% and 2% respectively in 2010. Meanwhile, the percentage of Black individuals with this surname decreased from 4.05% in 2000 to 3.14% in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 92.66% | 91.71% | -1.03% |
| Black | 4.05% | 3.14% | -22.47% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 2.57% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 2% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 1.27% | 0% | 0% |