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

Zecher, 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 Zecher surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zecher in America

Zecher is the 59603rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zecher surname appeared 339 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 Zecher.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zecher 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 Zecher

The surname Zecher originates primarily from German-speaking regions, first appearing during the Middle Ages, around the 12th and 13th centuries. The name is believed to have multiple sources, influenced by different Germanic roots.

One of the principal origins of Zecher is derived from the Middle High German word "zeche" meaning "drink" or "feast." This could indicate that an initial bearer of the surname was a tavern keeper or someone known for hosting social gatherings. Another plausible origin can be traced to the verb "zechen," meaning "to drink," implying a reference to certain social or professional activities related to feasting.

Historical records show early instances of the name in various forms, such as Zecherer or Zecker, appearing in documents from Southern Germany and Switzerland. For example, the tax registers of Würzburg from the late 13th century mention a Johann Zecher. Another reference from the year 1315 in Zurich lists a Ludwig Zecher, a noted merchant of the era.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Zecher. One such figure is Hans Zecher, born in 1480 and known for his involvement in the Hanseatic League, reflecting his prominence in trade and commerce along the Baltic Sea. Another historical figure, Maria Zecher, born in 1542 and recorded in church documents from Augsburg, was recognized for her charitable contributions and establishment of a local orphanage.

The religious leader Johann Zecher, born in 1603, contributed significantly to the Reformation movement in Northern Germany. His sermons and written works on Protestant theology were circulated widely, influencing many during the period of religious upheaval. A subsequent bearer, Friedrich Zecher, born in 1721, became a celebrated composer and musician in Munich, whose works continue to be studied by classical music historians.

By the 19th century, the name Zecher had spread beyond German borders due to emigration, with notable figures like Abraham Zecher, born in 1807, who became a significant Jewish community leader in Vienna. His advocacy for Jewish rights and social reform left a lasting impact in the region.

In summary, the surname Zecher exhibits a rich history rooted in Germanic traditions, spanning various professions and significant contributors to cultural and social landscapes over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zecher

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

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

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

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