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

Zarn, 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 Zarn surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarn in America

Zarn is the 73911th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarn surname appeared 262 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 Zarn.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarn 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 Zarn

The surname Zarn originates from German-speaking regions, most likely from Middle High German linguistic roots, emerging prominently in the late medieval period. The name appears to be derived from the Middle High German word "zarn," which means "anger" or "wrath." This suggests that it might have been an epithet for a person with a fiery temperament or strong personality traits. The earliest documented references to the surname are found in 14th and 15th-century records in regions of modern-day Germany and Switzerland.

In its historical context, the surname Zarn appears in various feudal and manorial records. One of the earliest documented individuals bearing this surname was Hans Zarn, noted in a 1389 tax register in Zurich, Switzerland. This reference places the surname firmly within the socio-economic structures of late medieval Europe.

Through the centuries, variations such as Zahren, Zarnow, and Zarnetzki can be found, possibly indicating locative origins or dialectical changes. For instance, in the 16th century, a Michel Zahren, a notable blacksmith, settled in Nuremberg, bringing some prominence to the name in that area. Historians suggest that different spellings arose due to varying literacy levels and regional dialects, further evidenced in marriage records and property transactions.

An interesting figure is Johann Zarn (1631–1697), a Lutheran pastor and theologian in the town of Augsburg. His sermons and theological treatises contributed significantly to the religious discourse of his time. His works are preserved in several libraries and provide a glimpse into the intellectual movements of 17th-century Germany.

In the 18th century, the surname spread across Europe due to migration and socio-political upheavals. Georg Zarn (1764–1832) was a known merchant in Hamburg, deeply involved in the trade routes between Northern Europe and the Baltic regions. His business dealings and correspondence found in historical commercial archives offer insights into the economic history of that era.

Entering the 19th century, the surname Zarn appears in the academic and cultural records of Central Europe. A notable academic was Dr. Friedrich Zarn (1824–1889), a scholar of classical languages and literature. His contributions to the translations of ancient Greek texts were recognized in various scholarly circles, and his publications are still cited in classical studies.

The surname Zarn, while not widely known globally, has left its mark through centuries of historical records and notable individuals. Each occurrence adds to the rich tapestry of genealogical and cultural history, providing a deeper understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics in which it thrived.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarn

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

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

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

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