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

Zeisler, 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 Zeisler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeisler in America

Zeisler is the 42640th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeisler surname appeared 508 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 Zeisler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeisler 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 Zeisler

The surname Zeisler has its origins in Germany, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Middle High German word "zeis," which means “tench,” a type of freshwater fish, and the suffix "-ler," which indicates an occupation or habitational origin. Thus, the name may have been assigned to people associated with fishery, particularly with the tench fish, or those residing near water bodies rich in such fish.

Zeisler appears to have been localized predominantly in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, where the tench fish were commonly found in local waters. Records from these areas during the 13th and 14th centuries often mention individuals involved in fishery or river trade, hinting at the occupational basis of the surname. Variants of the name, such as Zeissler and Zeyssler, can occasionally be found in historical documents, all carrying similar connotations.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Zeisler is Hans Zeisler, who is mentioned in a 1472 tax register in the city of Nuremberg, Germany. His profession was recorded as a fisherman, lending credence to the occupational origin of the name. Another historical reference can be found in the 1498 municipal records of Leipzig, noting the name of Jakob Zeisler, a merchant dealing in fishery products.

In the field of arts, Franziska Zeisler, born in 1820 and died in 1885, was a noted German soprano who performed in various operatic theatres across Europe. Her familial background suggests a lineage involved in the arts and trades, possibly stemming from the occupational roots of the name.

Moving to the academic realm, the name appears with Emil Zeisler, a German legal scholar born in 1869 and who lived until 1941. Zeisler made significant contributions to the studies of German civil law and his works were highly regarded in legal circles during the early 20th century. His academic achievements likely helped in furthering the prominence of the surname within scholarly communities.

In modern history, the name Zeisler has also appeared in the context of scientific achievements. Otto Zeisler, a chemist born in 1894, contributed to the development of early pharmaceutical compounds and held several patents for his innovations in medicinal chemistry. His work primarily took place during the early to mid-20th century, although his lineage can be traced back to the Saxony region, maintaining the geographical consistency of the surname's origin.

Another notable Zeisler is Rainer Maria Zeisler, born in 1935, an accomplished German pianist and composer known for his contributions to contemporary classical music. His compositions have been performed in numerous European concert halls and his proficiency has earned him a respected place in the modern music industry.

Thus, the surname Zeisler carries with it a rich tapestry of historical, occupational, and cultural significance, with roots deeply embedded in the German-speaking regions of Europe. The evolution of the name over centuries reflects the diverse paths taken by individuals and families, marking their contributions across various fields, from fisheries and trade to arts, academia, and science.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeisler

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

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

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

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