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

Zaner, 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 Zaner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaner in America

Zaner is the 59324th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaner surname appeared 341 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 Zaner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaner 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 Zaner

The surname Zaner has its origins in Switzerland, specifically from the German-speaking regions. It is derived from the Middle High German word "zan," which means "tooth." This suggests that the name could have been a nickname for someone with distinctive teeth or may have been occupational, referring to a toothsmith or dentist. The Germanic roots of the name place its emergence around the 13th or 14th century, when surnames began to become hereditary.

Historical references of the name Zaner are scant, as it appears to be relatively rare and specialized. However, variations of the name, such as Zander and Zahner, often show up in older records. One of the earliest mentions of a name closely resembling Zaner can be found in Swiss baptismal records from the early 1500s. These records include individuals with names like Hans Zaner and Peter Zahner, suggesting a geographical and phonetic connection.

The surname can also be found in historical documents outside of Switzerland, particularly in Germany and Austria, where variations like Zahner or Sanner appear in parish registers and civic records. One prominent individual bearing the name was Johann Zaner, born in 1634 in what is now modern-day Germany. His life and work were recorded in church documents that noted his contributions to local trade and craft.

In the late 18th century, the name reached the United States through immigration, with Jacob Zaner being a notable example. Born in 1760, Jacob settled in Pennsylvania and was recorded in land grants and tax records of the late 1700s. His descendants continued to live in the region, contributing to the establishment of several communities.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw more individuals with the surname Zaner gaining prominence. Charles Mills Zaner, born in 1864, was an influential figure in the world of penmanship and founder of the Zanerian College of Penmanship. His work revolutionized handwriting instruction in America, and his legacy continues through the works he published.

In modern times, historical records show the presence of notable individuals such as artist Clifford Zaner, born in 1932, who contributed significantly to the American art scene in the mid-20th century. His works are still exhibited in galleries and provide a cultural touchstone for the name Zaner.

Throughout history, those bearing the surname Zaner have largely played roles in local trades, crafts, and education. While not ubiquitous, the name's unique etymology and regional specificity provide an interesting glimpse into the cultural and linguistic history of German-speaking Europe and its diaspora.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaner

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

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

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

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