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

Zachow, 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 Zachow surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zachow in America

Zachow is the 44500th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zachow surname appeared 483 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 Zachow.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zachow 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 Zachow

The surname Zachow has its origins in Germany, specifically within the historical regions of Prussia and Pomerania. The name dates back to medieval times, around the 12th to 14th centuries, when surnames began to be used for better identification as European societies grew more complex. These areas were marked by Germanic tribes and later formed part of the Holy Roman Empire, which influenced many aspects of local cultures, including language.

Zachow is derived from the Middle High German word "zach," which means "tenacious" or "stubborn." This term may have been used to describe the characteristics of the family or individual who first carried this name. The surname can also be linkable to place names, as there are several localities named Zachow in Germany, particularly in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. These place names are likely the origin of the surname due to the habit of naming individuals after their place of birth or residence.

Historical manuscripts and records from the medieval period occasionally reference people with the surname Zachow. One of the earliest known instances is from church registers and tax records, which were meticulously kept by monasteries and local authorities. These documents offer glimpses into the life and times of individuals bearing this name, although specific entries are rare.

One of the most notable early bearers of the surname was Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, born in 1663 and dying in 1712. He was a prominent German composer and musician, known for his influence on George Frideric Handel, whom he taught. Friedrich Wilhelm's contributions to Baroque music and his teaching methods significantly impacted the development of Western classical music.

Another significant individual was Georg Zachow, a clergyman recorded in various church documents from the early 1600s. Born around 1605, Georg served in several parishes in Pomerania, contributing to the dissemination of Lutheranism during a period of religious transformation in the region.

In the 18th century, another mention of the surname occurs with Johann Heinrich Zachow, an officer in the Prussian army, born in 1731 and died in 1794. Military records from this period provide detailed accounts of his service and engagements, reflecting the martial culture of Prussia during the time.

The name Zachow also appears in the annals of migration to the New World, with individuals such as Ludwig Zachow, who emigrated to America in the mid-19th century. Born in 1815 in Brandenburg, Ludwig was part of the wave of Germans seeking better opportunities abroad, contributing to the spread of the surname outside its country of origin.

Johann Zachow, a merchant from Hamburg born in 1767, expanded trading routes and commercial relationships within Northern Europe. His business ventures and records of transactions give insight into the economic conditions of late 18th-century Germany. His influence in trade and commerce left a lasting legacy in the business community.

Throughout history, families with the surname Zachow have been linked to various professions and social standings, from musicians and clergy to military officers and merchants. These historical figures provide a rich tapestry of narratives that highlight the diverse ways in which the Zachow name has been woven into the historical and cultural fabric of its regions of origin.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zachow

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

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

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

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