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

Zapf, 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 Zapf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zapf in America

Zapf is the 24787th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zapf surname appeared 1,005 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 Zapf.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zapf 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 Zapf

The surname Zapf originates from Germany, emerging in the medieval period. Specifically, the name can be traced back to regions like Bavaria, Franconia, and parts of Upper Saxony. It is derived from the Middle High German word "zapfe," which means "tap" or "spigot," referring to the occupation of a person who makes or works with wooden taps or spigots, commonly used in barrels of wine or beer. This etymology indicates that the name likely has roots in professions related to brewing or winemaking.

Historical references to the surname Zapf appear in various records from the medieval and early modern periods. One of the earliest mentions of the name is found in documents from the 13th century. For instance, a reference to a Heinrich Zapf dates back to 1286 in a Bavarian registry. This suggests that the name had established some level of regional prominence by this time.

A notable 15th-century figure named Johannes Zapf served as a town council member in Nuremberg from 1450 to 1475. His role in municipal governance highlights the family's integration into local political and social structures. His involvement in Nuremberg’s council provides an early example of the surname in civic life.

In the 16th century, a lineage of the Zapf family is documented in the Franconian town of Bamberg. Records from 1534 mention a Martin Zapf, a baker by trade, indicating the surname's continued association with crafts and tradespeople. This reinforces the occupational origins of the name and its spread within artisan communities.

During the 18th century, the name appears in scholarly contexts. Johann Heinrich Zapf, born in 1700 and deceased in 1767, was a distinguished mathematician and professor at the University of Leipzig. His academic contributions further diversified the contexts in which the Zapf surname was recognized, marking its presence in intellectual circles.

A particularly influential Zapf in modern history was Hermann Zapf, a typographer and calligrapher born in 1918 and deceased in 2015. He gained international acclaim for designing numerous well-known typefaces, including Palatino and Zapfino. His work significantly impacted graphic design and typography, ensuring the Zapf name is highly regarded in these fields.

The surname Zapf has thus traversed a broad spectrum of historical contexts—from medieval occupations to modern academic and artistic achievements. Its journey through various regions and time periods highlights the adaptability and enduring presence of the name in German-speaking areas and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zapf

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

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

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

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