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

Zahner, 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 Zahner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zahner in America

Zahner is the 21330th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zahner surname appeared 1,228 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 Zahner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zahner 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 Zahner

The surname Zahner originates from Germany, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Middle High German word "zan" or "zahen," which means "tooth." This indicates that the name likely started as an occupational surname for someone who worked as a dentist or craftsman specializing in making or repairing tools with tooth-edged components, such as saws.

The name Zahner is primarily associated with the region of Bavaria in southern Germany, where it first appeared in historical records. Manuscripts from the 13th century mention individuals with variations of the name, such as Zaher or Zahener. One of the earliest recorded examples is found in a 1295 document, which listed a Rufus Zaher as a resident of Munich. The name further spread into neighboring regions including Switzerland and Austria.

One significant historical reference includes an early 14th-century tax register from the town of Zurich in Switzerland, where a Michael Zahner is documented as a landowner. This indicates the presence of the name outside Germany within the same time frame. Another early mention is in the records of the court of Vienna in 1356, listing a Hans Zahener as a skilled craftsman, likely involved in metalworking or tool-making.

Notable individuals with the name include Johann Wilhelm Zahner (1641-1698), a renowned Bavarian clockmaker whose intricate designs remain admired by collectors. In the 17th century, Caspar Zahner (1679-1765) was a prominent figure in the Zurich Guild of Carpenters, recognized for his masterful craftsmanship.

Moving forward into the 18th century, the name appears in literary circles with Karl Friedrich Zahner (1788-1842), a German poet and author known for his romantic works and contributions to German literature. In the field of engineering, Johann Heinrich Zahner (1817-1899) was a pioneering figure in Swiss industrial innovations, contributing to the development of early machinery.

Throughout history, the surname Zahner has retained its association with skilled craftsmanship and artistry, reflecting the occupational roots of its origin. With each generation, individuals bearing the name have continued to embody the precision and dedication implied by the Middle High German word "zan," thus preserving this unique legacy across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zahner

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

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

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

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