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

Zappe, 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 Zappe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zappe in America

Zappe is the 75317th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zappe surname appeared 256 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 Zappe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zappe 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 Zappe

The surname Zappe has its origins in Germany, specifically in the regions of Bavaria and Lower Saxony. The name is believed to have arisen in the early medieval period, around the 12th to 13th centuries. It is derived from the Middle High German word "zappen," which refers to the action of tapping or drawing liquid, particularly beer or wine. This etymology suggests that the earliest bearers of the surname Zappe were possibly involved in brewing or the tavern trade.

In the historical records, the name Zappe first appears in the 14th century. There is an early reference to a Hans Zappe in a Bavarian tax register dated 1378. This indicates the name's use in the southern parts of Germany, which were known for their beer brewing traditions. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has remained relatively consistent, although regional variations such as Zapper and Zappa have been noted.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname was Heinrich Zappe, born in 1382, who appears in property records in Hanover. These records suggest that the Zappe family was engaged in landownership and possibly trade. Another noteworthy mention is of Margarete Zappe, who was recorded in the city of Augsburg's marriage registries in the year 1453. This points to the surname being well-established across various German-speaking regions by the late Middle Ages.

In the 16th century, Georg Zappe, born in 1521, was a notable figure in the city of Nuremberg. He was a member of the local guild of coopers, indicating that the Zappe name continued to be associated with professions related to brewing and beverage storage. Georg's contributions to the guild are documented in Nuremberg's municipal archives, highlighting the vocational heritage linked with the surname.

One of the most prominent bearers of the surname was Johann Zappe, born in 1689, who served as a master brewer in Munich. His tenure was marked by several innovations in brewing techniques, which earned him mention in local chronicles of the time. Johann's legacy in the brewing community was significant enough to influence brewing practices in the region for years to come.

In the 18th century, Katharina Zappe (1720-1792) gained recognition as a playwright in Leipzig. Her works were well-received, and she is considered a pioneering female figure in German literature. Her involvement in the cultural scene exemplifies the diversification of the professions and achievements associated with the Zappe surname.

Throughout its history, the surname Zappe has been linked to various professions, primarily centered around brewing and trade, reflecting the social and economic fabric of the regions in which it originated. The surname has been carried by individuals who made significant contributions to their respective fields, highlighting the enduring legacy of the name through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zappe

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

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

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

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