Thornburg — Last Name Origin & Meaning

German origin Rank #4,827 in the US 7,309 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#4,827
▼ Down 276 since 2000
People in the US
7,309
2.48 per 100K people
Origin
German
German

Origin & Meaning of the Thornburg Surname

What does the last name Thornburg mean?

The surname Thornburg carries the meaning "Castle or fortified town." It is derived from the German language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 7,309 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Thornburg ranks as the #4,827 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Thornburg come from?

The Thornburg surname has its roots in German heritage. Names of German 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 Thornburg name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

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

German German

Quick Facts

Surname Thornburg
Meaning Castle or fortified town
Origin German
Language German
US Rank (2010) #4,827
US Count (2010) 7,309
Per 100K People 2.48
First Letter T

Ethnic Distribution of Thornburg

According to the US Census, the Thornburg surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 7,309 Americans with the Thornburg last name.

White 92.6%
Black 1.27%
Hispanic 2.91%
Asian/PI 0.48%
Native American 1.14%
Two+ Races 1.6%
Ethnic distribution of the Thornburg surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White92.6%
Black1.27%
Hispanic2.91%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.48%
Native American1.14%
Two or More Races1.6%

Popularity of Thornburg Over Time

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

Census 2000
#4,551
7,156 people
Down 276
Census 2010
#4,827
7,309 people

The number of Americans with the Thornburg surname increased by 153 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Thornburg Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Thornburg

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

Other German Surnames

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Thornburg

The surname Thornburg is of German origin. Castle or fortified town
The surname Thornburg is ranked #4,827 in the United States with approximately 7,309 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Castle or fortified town. The name has German roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Thornburg surname is distributed as: 92.6% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Thornburg 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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