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

Zehe, 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 Zehe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zehe in America

Zehe is the 83226th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zehe surname appeared 226 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 Zehe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zehe 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 Zehe

The surname Zehe has its origins in Germany, likely emerging during the Middle Ages. The name is thought to have first appeared in the regions of Saxony or Bavaria, in the central part of the country. It is derived from an old German word "Zehe," which means "toe" in English. This could imply that the original bearers of the name either had a distinctive physical characteristic related to their toes or were involved in a profession that concerned feet, such as a cobbler or a foot doctor.

The surname Zehe has been recorded in various historical documents dating back to medieval times. One of the earliest mentions of the name appears in a 14th-century register from the town of Nuremberg, where a Hans Zehe was listed as a local craftsman. This indicates that the name had already gained some recognition and was associated with skilled tradesmen in this period.

Throughout the years, the name Zehe appears in numerous municipal records, indicating that individuals with this surname were active members of their communities. For instance, in a 1502 registry from Leipzig, a Margarethe Zehe is mentioned as the owner of a textile shop. This suggests that the name was also associated with trade and commerce during the Renaissance period.

One of the notable historical figures bearing this surname is Johann Zehe (born 1651, died 1710), a well-known apothecary from Augsburg. His contributions to the field of herbal medicine were documented in several medical manuscripts of the time. His work earned him respect and recognition, making him a prominent figure in his community.

In the 18th century, the surname Zehe continues to feature in various records. For instance, in a 1735 court document from Munich, a Georg Zehe is recorded as a witness in a local land dispute. This shows that the name was still prevalent and that individuals bearing this surname held various roles in society, from tradespeople to witnesses in legal matters.

An intriguing historical reference involves Clara Zehe (1821-1887), a social reformer from Hamburg. She was involved in early women's rights movements and contributed to the establishment of several educational institutions for girls. Her efforts were widely recognized and made significant impacts on her community.

By the 19th century, the Zehe surname had spread further afield, with instances of the name appearing in emigrant records, particularly in the United States. Ludwig Zehe (1830-1892), who emigrated to New York in 1854, became a noted figure in the German-American community, contributing to the establishment of local cultural societies.

Overall, the surname Zehe has a rich history deeply rooted in German culture. Its bearers have played various roles in society over the centuries, from craftsmen and merchants to social reformers and emigrants. The consistent appearance of the name in historical records underscores its enduring presence and significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zehe

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

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

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

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