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

Zapp, 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 Zapp surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zapp in America

Zapp is the 27604th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zapp surname appeared 872 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 Zapp.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zapp 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 Zapp

The surname Zapp is believed to have originated in Germany during the medieval period, around the 13th century. The name is predominantly found in areas of the Rheinland and neighboring regions. Its etymology is closely associated with the Middle High German word zapfe, meaning tap or spigot, which would suggest a connection to the occupation of a tapster or someone who drew and served wine or beer. This derivation aligns with the surname's prevalence in wine-producing regions along the Rhine.

Historical records show that the surname Zapp appears in various archival documents from the late Middle Ages. One notable mention is found in the records of the city of Cologne from the late 14th century, where a Hans Zappe is registered as a vintner. The name was also recorded in similar variants such as Zappe and Zapf, indicating some flexibility in spelling due to dialectical influences and regional orthographic practices.

The earliest recorded example of the surname in its modern form is from 1321, when a Johann Zapp is documented in tax records from Mainz, another prominent city along the Rhine known for its viticulture. This suggests that the family may have been involved in the wine trade, a common livelihood in the region. Mainz's historical significance as an ecclesiastical center also means that records from this period are relatively well-preserved, providing valuable insights into early bearers of the surname.

A notable figure bearing the name Zapp is Johann Wilhelm Zapp, born in 1644 and passed away in 1718, a prominent merchant in the city of Frankfurt. His success in commerce helped elevate the family’s status, allowing them to intertwine with other prominent families in the region. His contributions to the local economy are well-documented in city council records, which detail his ventures in the trade of goods traveling along the Rhine.

In the 18th century, the surname Zapp made its way to the Americas. Dieter Zapp, born in 1709 and passed away in 1785, emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania in 1735. He became a notable settler in the region, and his descendants played significant roles in the development of local communities. His journey and settlement are detailed in ship passenger lists and land purchase records from Pennsylvania archives.

Another prominent bearer of the surname was Friedrich Zapp, born in 1826 and passed away in 1899, a respected academic and scholar in Heidelberg. His work in historical linguistics and folklore is still referenced in German studies. Friedrich Zapp's contributions to academia are recorded in various university publications and his extensive written works.

The surname Zapp has also left its mark in the arts. Erich Zapp, a painter and sculptor born in 1889 and died in 1945, was known for his distinctive style that combined traditional German motifs with emerging modernist trends. His works were exhibited in several major galleries across Germany, and despite the tumultuous periods he lived through, his legacy in the art world remains preserved in museum collections and art history books.

The Zapp family name, with its roots tracing back several centuries, showcases a rich heritage intertwined with trade, migration, academia, and the arts. Understanding the historical significance of the surname helps to appreciate the diverse contributions of individuals bearing the name across different periods and regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zapp

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

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

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

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