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

Zeier, 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 Zeier surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeier in America

Zeier is the 57639th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeier surname appeared 353 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 Zeier.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeier 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 Zeier

The surname Zeier has its origins in German-speaking regions, emerging from what is now modern-day Germany and Switzerland. The earliest records of the name date back to the medieval period, specifically around the 12th and 13th centuries. The name Zeier is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word "zier," which means ornament or adornment, suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have been involved in trades connected to decoration or craftsmanship.

Historically, the name appears in various forms in medieval registers and scripts. One of the earliest references can be found in a 13th-century tax register in the region of Swabia, a historical region in southwestern Germany, where the name was recorded as Zierer. This similar spelling supports the etymological link to the word "zier."

One notable historical figure bearing the name was Hans Zeier, born around 1580, a renowned silversmith in Zurich. His works, characterized by intricate designs and detailed craftsmanship, are still admired today and serve as a testament to the decorative connotations of the surname. Another early example is Wilhelm Zeier, who appeared in the records of a guild in Munich in the early 16th century, suggesting a possible connection to trades related to ornamentation.

The name also appears frequently in church and land records from the 16th and 17th centuries. Georg Zeier, born in 1624, was a notable landowner in the Bavarian region, with several properties registered under his name, indicating the family's socio-economic status during that period. In Switzerland, the Zeier name is documented in the early 17th century with Ulrich Zeier, a member of the city council in Basel, reflecting the family's involvement in local governance and civic duties.

Moving into more modern history, the Zeier surname gained further prominence with figures such as Karl Zeier, born in 1799, who was influential in the educational reforms in Bavaria. His contributions to establishing more structured and accessible education systems are well-documented in the annals of Bavarian academic history.

In summary, the surname Zeier is steeped in a rich history that spans various regions in Germany and Switzerland, often associated with trades, craftsmanship, and civic roles. Its etymological roots highlight a connection to decoration and adornment, and historical records attest to the family's influence and prominence over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeier

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

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

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

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