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

Zaitz, 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 Zaitz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaitz in America

Zaitz is the 54990th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaitz surname appeared 374 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 Zaitz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaitz 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 Zaitz

The surname Zaitz has its origins rooted in Central and Eastern Europe, with a particular prevalence in regions that are now part of modern-day Germany and Poland. The name likely dates back to the Middle Ages, emerging in the context of the varied cultural and linguistic landscapes that characterized these areas. It is believed to be derived from the German word “Seitz,” a diminutive or pet name form of the given name Siegfried, Seifried or Sizo, which itself means “victory peace” or “victorious peace.”

In Poland, the surname has connections to the word “zajac,” which means "hare" in Polish. This connection can denote speed, agility, or perhaps a characteristic admired in ancestral bearers of the name. Over time, variations in spelling such as Zajt, Zeitz, and Seitz appeared in old records, reflecting regional dialects and phonetic differences.

Historical references to the surname Zaitz can be found as early as the 14th century in Germanic lands. Manuscripts from the Holy Roman Empire make occasional mention of individuals bearing similar names, suggesting the name spread across regions driven by trade, migration, and geopolitical shifts. For instance, an early recorded spelling of the surname was found in the "Land Registry of Wehebk" in 1424, under the name Johannes Seitz.

One notable historical figure was Martin Zaitz, a merchant from Prague born in 1498, who played a significant role in the trade routes across the Baltic Sea. His influence extended into the early 16th century until his death in 1534. Another figure, Maria Zaitz, born in 1632 in what is now eastern Germany, gained recognition as a healer and herbalist, renowned in local folklore for her knowledge of medicinal plants.

In the 18th century, Andreas Zaitz, born in 1703, was a known officer in the Habsburg military, participating in key battles of the War of Austrian Succession before his death in 1750. The name also crossed into academia with Dietrich Zaitz, a renowned linguist and writer born in 1774 whose works on Slavic languages were pioneering during his lifetime. Dietrich passed away in 1821, leaving a legacy of scholarly contributions.

By the 19th century, the name appeared in various immigration records, including those of Johann Zaitz, born in 1820, who immigrated to America in 1845 and became a notable figure in the German American community in Pennsylvania. His descendants carried the name across generations, contributing to local culture and industry well into the 20th century.

The surname Zaitz continues to hold historical significance, closely tied to the cultural and societal developments within Central and Eastern Europe. This name encapsulates a mix of linguistic traditions, embodying the rich tapestry of its bearers' origins and aspirations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaitz

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

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

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

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