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

Zegers, 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 Zegers surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zegers in America

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

The Zegers 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 Zegers.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zegers 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 Zegers

The surname Zegers has its origins in the Low Countries, specifically within regions that are now part of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. This surname is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name Zegers is derived from the Middle Dutch words "Seger" or "Segher," which are related to the Old High German word "Sigu," meaning victory. Variant spellings of the name such as Segers and Seegers have been common, depending on regional dialects and the evolution of language over time.

Historical references to the surname Zegers can be found in various medieval documents and records. One of the earliest mentions can be found in the town records of Flanders and Brabant. A notable early example is Jan Zegers, who was recorded in municipal documents from Antwerp in the early 1300s. This indicates that the Zegers family was among the established burgher families participating in trade and local governance.

Throughout history, individuals with the surname Zegers made notable contributions, particularly in mercantile and artisan circles. Adriaan Zegers, born in 1545, was a successful merchant based in Bruges, noted for his trade connections that spanned from England to the Iberian Peninsula. Records from the late 16th century show his involvement in the Hanseatic League, emphasizing the economic influence of the Zegers name in Northern Europe.

Another significant figure was Pieter Zegers, who was born in 1672 and became a prominent engraver in Haarlem. His work included detailed renditions of biblical scenes and local landscapes, capturing significant elements of Dutch Golden Age artistry. His engravings can still be found in museum collections across Europe, attesting to his skill and the enduring legacy of his contributions to art history.

In the academic sphere, Cornelis Zegers of Utrecht, born in 1710, emerged as a notable scholar in linguistics and classical studies. He contributed numerous articles to early philological journals and his translations of Latin texts were highly regarded among contemporary academics. Cornelis' work played a role in shaping the early scholarly foundations of language study in the Netherlands.

A later example is Maria Zegers, born in 1804, who became known for her philanthropic endeavors in Brussels. She established several charitable institutions that provided education and vocational training for impoverished women and children. Her efforts were pivotal in shaping social welfare programs in the Belgian capital during the 19th century.

The surname Zegers has thus been borne by a variety of notable individuals across centuries, reflecting the diverse accomplishments and contributions of those who carried the name. As a surname, it continues to signify a rich heritage grounded in the historical and cultural fabric of the Low Countries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zegers

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!