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

Zehm, 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 Zehm surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zehm in America

Zehm is the 58337th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zehm surname appeared 348 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 Zehm.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zehm 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 Zehm

The surname Zehm is believed to have originated in Germany, likely in the regions of Bavaria or Saxony, where names with similar phonetic structures were quite common. The earliest records of the surname date back to the 14th century, a period marked by the use of surnames for purposes of identification as populations grew and communities expanded.

Etymologically, the surname Zehm may derive from the Middle High German word "ze," meaning "at" or "by," possibly combined with a topographic element describing the individual's dwelling place or a distinguishing feature of the landscape. Alternatively, it may have roots in the German word "Zehme," which was used in dialect to mean a small plot of land or a piece of arable land.

Historical references to the surname Zehm can be found in various medieval records and registers. One of the earliest recorded instances is in a 1389 Bavarian tax roll which lists a Heinrich Zehm among the taxpayers. Over the centuries, the name appears in various forms, including Zehme or Zehem, reflecting regional dialects and phonetic spellings used in those times.

In the 16th century, one notable individual with the surname was Johannes Zehm, a cleric and scholar who was born in 1524 and became known for his writings on ecclesiastical law. His contributions were significant during the Reformation period, where his works provided a legal perspective on the changing landscape of church authority.

Moving into the 18th century, another significant bearer of the name was Matthias Zehm, a master carpenter and architect born in 1703. He was renowned for his craftsmanship in the construction of several baroque buildings in Saxony. His works remain admired for their intricate woodwork and robust design.

In the 19th century, Friedrich Zehm, born in 1812, gained prominence as a political activist and newspaper editor. Known for his advocacy for democratic reforms, he was an influential figure in the political movements leading up to the revolutions of 1848 in the German states. His editorials and published writings contributed to the spread of liberal ideas during that tumultuous period.

Turning to the 20th century, Max Zehm, born in 1885, was a distinguished chemist who made significant contributions to synthetic organic chemistry. His research and published works during the early to mid-20th century advanced the field, and he received several accolades for his contributions to science.

These historical records and notable individuals provide a rich tapestry of the surname Zehm, illustrating its deep roots and evolving significance across centuries. Each bearer of the name has contributed to its enduring legacy, whether through scholarship, craftsmanship, political activism, or scientific discovery.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zehm

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

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

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

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