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

Zaeske, 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 Zaeske surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaeske in America

Zaeske is the 89069th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaeske surname appeared 208 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 Zaeske.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaeske 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 Zaeske

The surname Zaeske has its roots in Central Europe, with the name most likely originating from German or Polish territories. The name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, approximately between the 12th and 15th centuries. The areas associated with the name are primarily regions that experienced territorial exchanges between Germany and Poland, such as Silesia and Pomerania.

The surname is derived from ancient Slavic and Germanic linguistic roots. In its Slavic origins, it may be related to the word zajac, meaning hare, which was a common animal in folklore and symbolized speed and agility. The German cognate would be Hase. Over time, the name evolved and adapted to local dialects, resulting in variations like Zäske, Zajske, and Zasek.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in a 14th-century manuscript from the region of Silesia, where a certain Heinrich Zäske is mentioned as a landowner in 1378. This manuscript provides an important historical reference to the name's early use and its association with landholding, indicating a position of some status within the community.

In the 16th century, records from Lower Silesia mention a Martin Zaeske, born in 1523, who served as a magistrate in the town of Liegnitz (now Legnica, Poland). His contributions to the local judiciary and municipal governance are well-documented, showing the prominence of the Zaeske family in civic affairs.

By the 18th century, the surname Zaeske appears in Prussian military records. Johann Friedrich Zaeske, born in 1741, served as a high-ranking officer under Frederick the Great during the Seven Years' War. His military service and subsequent role as a provincial governor highlight the family's continued influence in shaping regional history.

Moving into the 19th century, another notable figure, Carl Friedrich Zaeske, born in 1809, emerged as a prominent industrialist in the burgeoning manufacturing industries of Upper Silesia. His establishment of several textile mills significantly contributed to the economic development of the area, underlining the entrepreneurial spirit of the Zaeske lineage.

In the literary world, Walther Zaeske, born in 1875 and died in 1932, gained recognition as a prolific writer and poet, capturing the cultural and social transformations of his time. His works are still studied for their intricate depiction of life in Eastern Europe during the tumultuous years leading up to World War I.

The surname Zaeske has a rich history marked by its adaptability and presence across various sectors, from landownership and governance to military service, industry, and the arts. Its evolution over the centuries reflects the dynamic nature of Central European history and the enduring legacy of the families who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaeske

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

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

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

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