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

Zanger, 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 Zanger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zanger in America

Zanger is the 35622nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zanger surname appeared 631 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 Zanger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zanger 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 Zanger

The surname Zanger has its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, predominantly in what is today Germany and Austria. The name traces back to the Middle Ages, likely appearing as early as the 12th or 13th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word "zangar," which means "tongs" or "pliers," and was often used metaphorically to describe someone who worked with these tools, such as a blacksmith or metalworker.

In terms of linguistic evolution, the surname Zanger has seen various spellings throughout history, including Zänger, Zangerer, and even Zangner. These changes reflect the regional dialects and orthographic practices of German-speaking areas over the centuries. The name likely appeared in guild records, town registries, and other semi-official documents of the medieval and early modern periods, although specific records are scarce due to the fragmentary nature of medieval documentation.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Zanger can be found in the 14th century within the Holy Roman Empire. Manuscripts from this period occasionally mention individuals with this surname in contexts that suggest occupations related to metalworking and craftsmanship. One notable early example is Heinrich Zanger, a blacksmith living in the Bavarian region around 1375. His name appears in a guild register, indicating his recognized status within the local trade community.

In the 16th century, the name Zanger gained further prominence. Johann Zanger, born in 1551 and died in 1610, was a prominent lawyer and professor of law at the University of Wittenberg. His works on legal theory and practice were influential in shaping the judicial landscape of his time. Another significant figure bearing this surname was Leonhard Zanger, who served as a town councilor in Nuremberg during the late 1500s.

The 17th and 18th centuries saw the dispersion of the Zanger name across Europe due to various socio-political upheavals, including the Thirty Years' War and the subsequent migration of many German-speaking families. One notable figure from this period is Friedrich Zanger, an artisan known for his metalworks and sculptures, who lived from 1643 to 1702. His works are still admired in several small museums in Germany today.

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes, and individuals bearing the surname Zanger began to diversify into various professional fields. August Zanger, born in 1832 and died in 1890, was a renowned engineer and inventor in Vienna. His contributions to mechanical engineering, particularly in the field of tool-making, earned him recognition and patents that advanced industrial practices.

Throughout history, the surname Zanger has been associated with craftsmanship, intellectual pursuits, and professional achievements. While not exceedingly common, it remains a name with a rich historical background, reflecting the diverse contributions of its bearers to European culture and society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zanger

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

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

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

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