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

Zatz, 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 Zatz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zatz in America

Zatz is the 93125th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zatz surname appeared 197 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 Zatz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zatz 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 Zatz

The surname Zatz has its origins in Central Europe, specifically in the regions that encompass modern-day Germany and the Czech Republic. The earliest known use of this surname dates back to the late Middle Ages, around the 14th and 15th centuries. This region was characterized by a mix of ethnic groups, and surnames often carried linguistic influences from Germanic, Slavic, and even Latin.

The name Zatz is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word "zatz," which means "heap" or "pile," potentially indicating a topographical name for someone who lived near a heap of stones or similar feature. In some regions, it may also have been a diminutive or a variation of personal names such as Zotos or Sato, which were common in medieval Germany and nearby areas.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Zatz was Johan Zatz, a resident of Bavaria, whose name appears in tax records from the year 1493. Records from this period often provide valuable insights into the distribution of surnames and their bearers. Additionally, an ancient manuscript from 1512 references a certain Matthias Zatz in Prague, illustrating the surname’s presence in the Czech lands.

Over the centuries, the surname Zatz appeared in various historical documents, frequently in the context of land ownership, legal disputes, and local governance. An example of a notable figure bearing the surname includes Heinrich Zatz, born in 1625, who served as a local magistrate in the city of Frankfurt. Heinrich's contributions to the legal reforms in his city are chronicled in municipal records from the mid-17th century.

In the 18th century, another prominent individual was Jacob Zatz, born in 1710, who was recognized for his work as a clockmaker in Vienna. Jacob’s intricate designs and craftsmanship earned him a notable reputation, and several of his timepieces are preserved in museums today.

The surname continued to be of interest into the 19th century, with figures such as Karl Zatz, an academic born in 1802, contributing significantly to the field of philology. Karl’s research on Germanic languages and ancient texts was influential, and his published works are still referenced by scholars today.

Around the same period, Maria Zatz, born in 1845, became known as one of the early female entrepreneurs in Berlin. She established a successful textile business, which was quite uncommon for women at that time, and her store became a local landmark noted in trade directories of the late 19th century.

In summary, the surname Zatz carries a rich historical legacy, with its roots deeply entwined with the cultural and geographical tapestry of Central Europe. From medieval tax records to distinguished figures in various professional fields, the name Zatz has been borne by many notable individuals throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zatz

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

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

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

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