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

Zais, 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 Zais surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zais in America

Zais is the 60045th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zais surname appeared 336 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 Zais.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zais 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 Zais

The surname Zais is a relatively rare name with primarily German origins. It is believed that the name emerged in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in Germany during the Middle Ages, possibly as early as the 14th or 15th century. The surname Zais may be linked to the Middle High German word "zeiz," which means lively or brisk, reflecting a characteristic of the family's ancestors.

Historical records show various spellings and variations of the surname, including Seiss, Zeys, and Zeis. These variations can be attributed to the lack of standardized spelling during the medieval period. One of the earliest references to the surname Zais appears in a tax register from 1452 in Nuremberg, a major German city known for its medieval trading hub.

In the 16th century, the name Zais can be found in church registry records from small Bavarian villages. For instance, Hans Zais, born in 1539, was recorded as a prominent merchant in Munich, contributing significantly to the local economy and trade. By the 17th century, the surname had spread through various German-speaking regions, with numerous references found in court documents and municipal records.

One notable figure bearing this surname is Johann Georg Zais, born in 1750 in Darmstadt, Hessen. Johann Georg Zais was a renowned clockmaker, and many of his intricately designed clocks are now prized antiques. His work contributed to Darmstadt's reputation as a center for craftsmanship and skilled trades during the late 18th century.

Friedrich Zais, born in 1804 and died in 1879, was a celebrated German botanist who made significant contributions to plant taxonomy. He was part of several botanical expeditions in Europe, with many new species named in his honor. His research was pivotal in advancing the study of European flora.

Moving into the 19th century, Eduard Zais, born in 1832, became a well-known composer and musician in Stuttgart. He was particularly famous for his contributions to classical music and operatic compositions. Eduard's works were performed in various European capitals, and he was a key figure in Stuttgart's burgeoning musical scene of the era.

Hermann Zais, born in 1875, was an influential figure in the field of engineering and contributed to the development of early automotive technologies in Germany. His innovative designs and patents played a significant role in advancing the German engineering sector during the early 20th century.

Lastly, Wilhelm Zais, born in 1902, was an accomplished historian and academic who specialized in medieval German history. His extensive publications and research on medieval Bavarian towns provided valuable insights into the sociopolitical landscape of that era. Wilhelm Zais's academic contributions continue to be referenced by scholars in the field of medieval studies.

The surname Zais, through its various bearers, has made a notable impact on different domains such as commerce, botany, music, engineering, and academia over the centuries. This multifaceted legacy underscores the diverse talents and contributions of individuals with this distinct surname throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zais

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

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

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

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