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

Zeh, 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 Zeh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeh in America

Zeh is the 18090th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeh surname appeared 1,540 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Zeh.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeh 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 Zeh

The surname Zeh has its origins in Germany, rooted in the region known for its dense forests and historic villages. The name can be traced back to medieval times, approximately around the 13th century. It is believed to derive from the Middle High German word "zehe," meaning “ten,” which was a nickname for someone associated with the number ten, possibly in a family with many children or a worker in a team of ten.

In the early records, the name Zeh appeared in various forms including Zech and Zehe. One of the earliest references can be found in the 1290s in Bavaria, where a Hans Zehe was recorded in local tax documents, indicating that the name was relatively well-established by this time. The variations in spelling over time and regions suggest that the name might have been adapted or altered to fit local dialects.

One notable instance of the name occurs in a 14th-century manuscript, where a Wilhelm Zeh is mentioned as a landowner in the Nuremberg area. His wealth and status were significant enough to be recorded in documents that have survived to this day. This indicates that the Zeh family had already begun to rise in prominence in certain parts of Germany.

During the 15th century, Johann Zech was a notable figure who contributed to local governance in what is present-day Baden-Württemberg. His engagement in civic duties and contributions to the community were chronicled in municipal records, showcasing the family's continued influence.

By the 17th century, the name appears yet again in historical contexts tied to the arts and academia. A Christoph Zehe, born in 1652, emerged as a composer in Saxony. His works, though lesser-known today, were part of the baroque musical movement, reflecting the spread and diversification of the Zeh family’s pursuits.

In the 18th century, a Friedrich Zeh born in 1715, became recognized as a master blacksmith whose works were highly regarded in Bavaria. His craftsmanship contributed significantly to the local economy, and pieces of his metalwork can still be found in historical museums.

Another mention comes from the 19th century, where a Caroline Zeh, born in 1828, became an influential figure in Hessen. She was a pioneering woman in education, advocating for women’s schooling during a period when such ideas were groundbreaking. Her contributions helped pave the way for educational reforms in Germany.

The name Zeh thus carries with it a rich history of diverse contributions across various fields and regions. The legacy of the Zeh name is a testament to its longstanding presence and influence within German history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeh

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

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

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

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