Oppenheimer — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #13,850 in the US 2,182 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#13,850
▼ Down 1009 since 2000
People in the US
2,182
0.74 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Oppenheimer Surname

What does the last name Oppenheimer mean?

The surname Oppenheimer carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 2,182 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Oppenheimer ranks as the #13,850 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Oppenheimer come from?

The Oppenheimer surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Oppenheimer name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Oppenheimer trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Oppenheimer
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #13,850
US Count (2010) 2,182
Per 100K People 0.74
First Letter O

Ethnic Distribution of Oppenheimer

According to the US Census, the Oppenheimer surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 2,182 Americans with the Oppenheimer last name.

White 86.39%
Black 1.56%
Hispanic 9.99%
Two+ Races 1.05%
Ethnic distribution of the Oppenheimer surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White86.39%
Black1.56%
Hispanic9.99%
Two or More Races1.05%

Popularity of Oppenheimer Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Oppenheimer surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#12,841
2,197 people
Down 1009
Census 2010
#13,850
2,182 people

The number of Americans with the Oppenheimer surname decreased by 15 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Oppenheimer Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Oppenheimer ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Oppenheimer

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Oppenheimer.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Oppenheimer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oppenheimer

The surname Oppenheimer is of English origin. One who does
The surname Oppenheimer is ranked #13,850 in the United States with approximately 2,182 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Oppenheimer surname is distributed as: 86.4% White, 10.0% Hispanic. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Oppenheimer ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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