Find out how popular the last name Tzep is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Tzep.

Tzep, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Tzep surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tzep in America

Tzep is the 115034th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tzep surname appeared 152 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Tzep.

The history of the last name Tzep

The surname TZEP finds its origin in the Central American region, specifically in the Maya civilization of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is believed to have originated during the Classic period of Maya civilization, which spanned from around 250 AD to 900 AD. The name is derived from the Mayan language and is believed to be a variant of the word "tzep," which means "to pierce" or "to penetrate."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname TZEP can be found in the Dresden Codex, an ancient Maya book dating back to the 11th or 12th century. The name appears in the codex in reference to a Maya noble or ruler, suggesting that the surname was associated with a prominent family or lineage.

In the 16th century, during the Spanish conquest of the Maya region, the name TZEP is mentioned in several historical accounts and records kept by Spanish chroniclers. One notable example is the writings of Diego de Landa, a Spanish bishop and historian who documented the Maya culture and practices in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Over the centuries, the surname TZEP has undergone various spelling variations, including Tzep, Tzeph, and Tzephe. These variations can be traced back to the different dialects and regional variations of the Mayan language, as well as the influence of Spanish orthography during the colonial period.

Among the notable individuals who have carried the surname TZEP throughout history are:

1. Kan Tzep (born c. 1450), a Maya noble and military leader from the city of Chichen Itza, known for his involvement in the resistance against the Spanish conquistadors.

2. Ix Tzep (c. 1500 - c. 1570), a Maya noblewoman and advisor to the ruler of the Itza Maya kingdom, famous for her diplomatic skills and knowledge of Maya traditions.

3. Gaspar Tzep (c. 1580 - c. 1640), a Maya scholar and interpreter who assisted Spanish missionaries in translating religious texts into the Mayan language.

4. Maria Tzep (c. 1620 - c. 1690), a Maya healer and midwife renowned for her expertise in traditional Maya medicine and midwifery practices.

5. Juan Tzep (c. 1750 - c. 1820), a Maya artist and sculptor who created intricate carvings and sculptures depicting Maya deities and historical figures.

While the surname TZEP has its roots in the Maya civilization, it has since spread to other parts of Central America and beyond, carried by descendants of Maya communities and through migration patterns. However, its historical significance and connection to the rich Maya cultural heritage remain deeply ingrained in its origins and evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tzep

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Tzep.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Tzep was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Tzep was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tzep, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!