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

Zehrung, 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 Zehrung surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zehrung in America

Zehrung is the 71265th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zehrung surname appeared 274 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 Zehrung.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zehrung 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 Zehrung

The surname Zehrung is believed to have originated in Germany, a country known for its significant contributions to European culture and language. This name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, a period when surnames began to be adopted more commonly across Europe. Specifically, the surname is most often associated with regions in Southern Germany, such as Bavaria.

The etymology of Zehrung is rooted in the Middle High German language. The name appears to derive from the word "zehren," which means "to consume" or "to nourish." This could suggest that the original bearers of the name were involved in professions related to food supply, perhaps as bakers, cooks, or merchants. Similar spellings from historical records include Zehring and Czehrung, reflecting the phonetic and spelling variations typical in medieval manuscripts.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Zehrung appears in a 14th-century Bavarian tax registry. This document, known as the Liber Decimationis, lists a Heinrich Zehrung as a taxpayer in 1372. Heinrich was known to be a merchant, which supports the occupational origins of the name.

Johann Zehrung, born in 1458 and died in 1524, was another notable historical figure bearing this surname. He was a well-known scribe in Nuremberg, known for his meticulous records that have provided valuable insights into the region’s economic history. His work is often referenced by historians studying the period.

Another individual, Maria Zehrung, who lived between 1732 and 1795, was a midwife in Munich. Her practice was renowned for its expertise, and she left behind a detailed journal that has become a valuable resource for understanding medical practices in 18th-century Bavaria.

In the archives of the Plassenburg Castle, there is mention of a Wilhelm Zehrung, born in 1601, who held the position of steward. This role involved managing the estate’s resources, which hints again at the association of the surname with the management and distribution of supplies.

In the late 19th century, Edmund Zehrung, born in 1854, became a respected educator and linguist. He contributed significantly to the study of regional dialects in Southern Germany, and his published works are still referenced in linguistic studies today.

The surname Zehrung, with its roots in medieval Germany and association with nourishment and sustenance, has a rich history that is reflected in its bearers' contributions to various fields, from economy to medicine to education.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zehrung

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

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

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

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