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

Zeger, 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 Zeger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeger in America

Zeger is the 48901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeger surname appeared 431 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 Zeger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeger 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 Zeger

The surname Zeger has its origins in the medieval period, primarily within the region known today as Germany. Historical records trace the name back to the Middle Ages, and it is closely associated with the Germanic-speaking populations. The name derives from the Old High German word "sigu," meaning "victory" or "triumph," coupled with "heri," meaning "army" or "warrior." Together, the composite term Sieg(e)heri evolved over time to become the surname Zeger.

Early references to the name appear in various medieval manuscripts and records. For example, in the records of the early 12th century, the name appears in its more archaic form as "Sigeher" or "Siger," denoting individuals linked to martial prowess or leadership in battle. One of the earliest documented uses of a similar form of this surname is found in the "Würzburg Lehenbuch," an important collection of feudal records from the German city of Würzburg, dating back to the early 13th century.

As surnames began to stabilize in their modern forms around the 14th and 15th centuries, Zeger became more commonly used. In the year 1332, a man named Heinrich Zeger was recorded in the annals of Nuremberg, denoting his status as a landowner and minor nobleman. Another recorded instance is from 1487 when a Johannes Zeger was documented as a burgomaster in the town of Augsburg, highlighting the name's association with influential civic and regional leaders.

In terms of specific individuals, Mathias Zeger, born in 1475, was a noted scholar and theologian residing in Mainz. He played a significant role in the scholarly debates of his time, particularly those concerning the Protestant Reformation. Another prominent figure, Elisabeth Zeger, born in 1623 and died in 1687, was a well-known midwife whose practices and methods were documented in medical texts of the period, contributing to the field of midwifery.

International migration saw the surname spread beyond the Germanic regions. For instance, Franz Zeger, born in 1754 and died in 1810, was a military officer who served in the Habsburg Austro-Hungarian Army, reflecting the geographic and sociopolitical movements within Europe. His descendent, Leopold Zeger, born in 1791 and died in 1847, became a significant figure in the banking sector of Vienna, illustrating the family's shift from military to financial influence over the generations.

Throughout history, the Zeger surname has been associated with a variety of professions and societal roles, from medieval warriors and civic leaders to scholars and financial experts, reflecting the multifaceted contributions of individuals bearing the name across centuries. This evolving historical lineage underscores the enduring legacy and varied accomplishments associated with the name Zeger.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeger

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

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

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

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