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

Zeck, 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 Zeck surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeck in America

Zeck is the 29138th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeck surname appeared 813 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 Zeck.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeck 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 Zeck

The surname Zeck is believed to have originated in Germany, with some of the earliest records dating back to the medieval period. Germany during the Middle Ages was a patchwork of principalities and territories, each with its own dialects and variations of surnames. The name Zeck likely comes from the Middle High German word "zucke" meaning a sharp or pointed object, possibly referring to someone who lived near a pointed hill or worked with pointed tools.

One of the oldest recorded instances of this surname can be found in German legal and ecclesiastical records from the 14th century. The name also appears in various spellings, including Zech and Zek. These variations are seen in old manuscripts and documents that recorded the lives and transactions of individuals in medieval Germany.

Another early reference to the name Zeck can be found in the tax records of Nuremberg around 1420. Nuremberg, being a significant center for trade and commerce, had extensive documentation of its residents, including those bearing the surname Zeck. These records indicate that the Zeck family was likely involved in local trade or craftsmanship, professions that were vital to the economy of medieval German cities.

Hans Zeck, born in 1502 and died in 1560, is one of the notable historical figures with this surname. He was known to be a respected craftsman, which aligns well with the speculated origin of the name related to artisanal professions. Hans's reputation as a skilled worker brought some renown to the name during that period.

In the 17th century, records from the Thirty Years' War mention a soldier named Johann Zeck. Born in 1590 and perished in 1632, Johann Zeck served in the Imperial Army. His name appears in military rosters and casualty lists, shedding light on the family's involvement in significant historical events.

In the late 18th century, another individual of note is Friedrich Zeck, born in 1775 and died in 1830. Friedrich was an accomplished musician and composer in the city of Dresden. His contributions to the local music scene were well-documented in periodicals and music catalogs of the time, further cementing the presence of the Zeck surname in historical records.

In the 19th century, the Zeck surname also appears in the context of emigration records. Josef Zeck, born in 1824, moved from Bavaria to the United States in 1848. His journey and settlement are recorded in passenger lists and ship manifests of the time, reflecting the broader trends of European migration to America during that era.

Throughout history, the Zeck surname has seen various spellings and adaptations, correlating with the regions and periods in which it appeared. From Middle High German roots to modern records, the name has woven itself into the fabric of historical documentation, highlighting the lives and contributions of those who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeck

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

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

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

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