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

Zeek, 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 Zeek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeek in America

Zeek is the 30630th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeek surname appeared 761 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 Zeek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeek 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 Zeek

The surname Zeek has its origins in Central Europe, particularly in Germany. The name has been traced back to the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. Originally, it is believed to have been derived from the German word "Seiger," which means "victorious" or "one who prevails." Over the centuries, this term evolved into different forms, eventually becoming Zeek.

The earliest records of the surname appear in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony. One of the oldest known references is found in a 13th-century manuscript from Bavaria, detailing the life of a local nobleman named Heinrich Zeeger. Such records are significant as they highlight the name's noble and potentially knightly associations.

The name also appears in church registers and tax rolls from the 14th and 15th centuries. For example, a document from 1421 mentions a 'Johannes Zeig' as a landowner in Saxony. These historical documents provide evidence of the name's evolution from various spellings, including Zeiger, Zeeg, and eventually Zeek.

By the late 1600s, migration and changes in regional dialects resulted in the surname taking on the modern spelling of Zeek. A notable figure from this period is Matthias Zeek, born in 1672, who was involved in the textile trade in the region of Hesse. His records indicate a familial line that continued to use the Zeek spelling.

In the 18th century, the surname appeared more frequently in official records and documents. A significant figure from this time is Wilhelm Zeek, born in 1745, who served as a municipal official in Baden-Württemberg. His contributions to local governance were recorded in various administrative documents, cementing the name's presence in historical records.

The surname also made its way to America in the 19th century, largely due to German immigration. One such immigrant, Johann Zeek, born in 1809, arrived in Pennsylvania in 1832. He was a farmer and his descendants are known to have spread across various states, contributing to the broader dissemination of the name.

Another notable person with the surname was Friedrich Zeek, born in 1821. He was a well-known scholar and theologian in Prussia, whose works are still referenced in historical theological studies. His publications from the mid-19th century often included detailed examinations of Germanic languages, providing insights into the name's origins and meanings.

Throughout its history, the surname Zeek has been associated with various professions and social standings. Its evolution from Seiger to Zeek showcases the dynamic nature of surnames and their ability to adapt to linguistic and regional changes over time. The name has left its mark in historical records, and its bearers have played significant roles in their respective communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeek

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

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

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

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