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

Zeak, 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 Zeak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeak in America

Zeak is the 87335th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeak surname appeared 213 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 Zeak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeak 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 Zeak

The surname Zeak likely originates from Central or Eastern Europe, with roots primarily traced to Germany and possibly the surrounding regions. The name Zeak may have emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 12th to 14th centuries. It potentially derives from an old Germanic personal name or a locational name, perhaps linked to a geographical feature or settlement. The name might have variations in its spelling, such as Zech, Seek, or Zeke, reflecting the phonetic and linguistic shifts over time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of a similar surname appears in medieval German records. For example, a man named Hans Zech was documented in 1380 in Bavaria. This earlier spelling shows how names evolved phonetically before standardization practices in written records solidified them.

Interestingly, the phonetic and orthographic variations of the surname are found in various Germanic and Slavic-speaking regions. For example, a record from 1450 mentions a Johann Seek in what is now modern-day Austria, suggesting the name may have traveled across borders and been adapted by different linguistic groups.

Historical references to individuals with the surname Zeak or its variations continue through the subsequent centuries. In the early 1600s, a merchant named Peter Zeek was recorded in the port city of Lübeck, Germany. This suggests economic activity and possibly migration patterns related to trade.

In the mid-18th century, one notable figure was Friedrich Zeak, an educator in Prussia who was born in 1723 and died in 1789. His contributions to early educational reforms in the region highlight the spread and influence of the surname in intellectual circles.

By the 19th century, the surname appears in immigration records. An example is Maria Zeak, who emigrated from Hamburg to the United States in 1854, indicating the surname’s global dispersion. This highlights how individuals with the surname Zeak began to establish roots in the New World, contributing to the name's international presence.

The spread of the surname can also be traced through historical records of military service. During the Napoleonic Wars, a soldier named Karl Zeak served in the Prussian army, documented in the early 1800s. This reflects the surname's presence in various societal roles beyond commerce and education.

Overall, the surname Zeak reflects a rich tapestry of historical occurrences, geographic migrations, and societal contributions. From its likely Germanic origins and medieval records to its eventual spread across continents, the name carries a diverse and storied heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeak

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

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

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

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