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

Zeager, 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 Zeager surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeager in America

Zeager is the 88336th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeager surname appeared 210 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 Zeager.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeager 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 Zeager

The surname Zeager has its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, predominantly within present-day Germany and Switzerland. The name is believed to have first emerged during the late Middle Ages, approximately in the 14th or 15th century. Specifically, the surname is associated with rural and agricultural areas, aligning with its etymological roots in Old High German.

Zeager is derived from the Middle High German word "ziger," which translates to "whey" or "curd," indicating a possible occupational link to dairy farming or cheese production. This occupational surname would have been used to identify individuals who were likely involved in the production or trade of dairy products. In some regions, the name could also be associated with the Old High German "zeigari," meaning "tenant farmer" or "smallholder."

Historical references to the surname Zeager can be found in various regional records and parish registries from the 16th and 17th centuries. One of the earliest documented instances of the name is that of Hans Zeager, born in 1584 in what is now Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Hans was recorded in a 1605 local tax register as a small-scale farmer specializing in dairy produce.

In the ensuing centuries, variants of the surname appeared in local manuscripts and legal documents. For instance, a Johannes Zeager is mentioned in a 1653 land transaction in Zurich, Switzerland, indicating the spread of the name within the Swiss territories. Similarly, a Katharina Zeager was noted in an 1727 will in the Alsace region, which was a part of the Holy Roman Empire at the time.

Another prominent individual was Martin Zeager, born in 1762 in Bavaria, Germany. Martin gained local recognition as a skilled cheese-maker and his business flourished, contributing to the economic development of his village. He is credited with innovative dairy production techniques, a topic documented in an 1801 trade report.

The 19th century witnessed the migration of the Zeager name to the United States, among other places. Jacob Zeager, born in 1801 in Baden, Germany, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1823. Jacob's success as a farmer in his new homeland helped establish the Zeager surname in American records, with descendants who contributed to the agricultural industry in the region.

By the late 19th century, Gustave Zeager, born in 1845 in Zurich, Switzerland, became a noted figure in local politics. Gustave’s work in improving local dairy farming policies and his writings on agricultural reforms were widely acknowledged, marking a significant contribution to his community’s economic stability and growth. He passed away in 1910, leaving behind a legacy of agrarian advancements.

The surname Zeager continues to evoke its historical connections to farming and dairy production, with a rich legacy traced through various European regions and now extending globally.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeager

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

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

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

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