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

Zachau, 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 Zachau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zachau in America

Zachau is the 140157th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zachau surname appeared 119 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 Zachau.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zachau to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Zachau

The surname Zachau originates from Germany, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is thought to derive from the Germanic personal name Zacharias, which in turn is rooted in the Hebrew name Zechariah, meaning "God remembers." The name is commonly associated with regions in northern and central Germany, where surnames based on given names were a widespread practice.

One of the earliest historical references to the surname Zachau appears in old German parish records and manuscripts from the 15th century. During this period, it was common for surnames to adopt various spellings depending on regional dialects and the literacy levels of those recording the names. Variations such as Zachaw, Zachow, and Zackau have all been documented in historical texts.

An early recorded example of the surname is Hans Zachau, a merchant documented in Hamburg during the late 16th century. Another notable individual is Johann Georg Zachau (1663-1712), a well-known German composer and organist who mentored the famous George Frideric Handel. Zachau's contributions to baroque music have ensured his name remains prominent in historical records.

The surname also appeared in ecclesiastical records, such as those of Martin Zachau, a Lutheran pastor in Saxony during the early 17th century. These records often detailed baptisms, marriages, and burials, offering a glimpse into the lives of those bearing the Zachau name.

In the 18th century, Maria Zachau, born in 1724, was recorded as a notable midwife in the Brandenburg region, where she delivered many babies and was highly regarded for her skills and dedication. Her contributions are periodically highlighted in local historical accounts of medicine and midwifery practices of the time.

By the 19th century, the name Zachau can be found in various civic and professional records. An example is Friedrich Zachau, an influential landowner and politician in Prussia who was active in the mid-1800s. Friedrich's involvement in regional politics and agriculture played a role in shaping local policies and economic practices, leaving a lasting legacy in Prussian history.

The surname Zachau continues to be a testament to the rich historical tapestry of German-speaking regions, woven through centuries of cultural, professional, and religious life.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zachau

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

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 Zachau 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Zachau has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Zachau was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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