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

Zeise, 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 Zeise surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeise in America

Zeise is the 63698th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeise surname appeared 313 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 Zeise.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeise 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 Zeise

The surname Zeise originates in Germany, specifically from the northern regions, in the late medieval period, around the 14th to 15th centuries. It is believed to derive from Middle Low German, though the exact etymological roots are somewhat obscure. The name Zeise might be connected to the word "zeis," meaning "a point" or "sharp," possibly referring to a tool or weapon, or even describing a sharp-tongued person.

Historical references to the surname Zeise are sparse but notable. The earliest recorded example appears in the Hanseatic League records from Lübeck in the mid-1400s, where a certain Heinrich Zeise is mentioned as a merchant. Lübeck, being a prominent trading city, was a melting pot of various cultures and languages, which may have influenced the surname's formation and spread.

In the 16th century, the name appears in church records in Hamburg. One of the earliest references is to Johann Zeise, who was baptized in 1562. This city, too, was a significant trading hub, providing further evidence for the merchant or artisan backgrounds of those carrying the name.

The surname Zeise also appears in historical records in the context of educational and religious institutions. For instance, Matthias Zeise, born in 1601 and died in 1667, served as a deacon in Bremen and contributed to local religious reforms. His works and sermons are partially preserved in the library of Bremen.

Another prominent figure in the arts was Friedrich Zeise, who lived from 1795 to 1845. He was a well-known painter in Berlin, contributing to the Romantic movement with landscapes and portraits. His works are still held in various German museums, reflecting the cultural contributions of the Zeise family.

The name appears again in the early 19th century in Mecklenburg, where Wilhelm Zeise, born in 1818, became a recognized chemist. He made significant contributions to organometallic chemistry, particularly known for Zeise's salt, an early example of a platinum complex. His research paved the way for future developments in the field and is still studied today.

Throughout history, the surname Zeise has been linked to individuals who were influential in trade, religion, arts, and sciences. This indicates a dynamic presence in various facets of society, predominantly within northern Germany. The continuity of the surname through centuries displays a rich lineage that has impacted different domains significantly.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeise

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

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

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

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