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

Zeiss, 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 Zeiss surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeiss in America

Zeiss is the 45569th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeiss surname appeared 469 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 Zeiss.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeiss 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 Zeiss

The surname Zeiss has its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, specifically Germany. The earliest roots of the name can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 12th and 13th centuries. It is believed to have originated in southern Germany, particularly in areas such as Bavaria and Swabia. The name Zeiss is derived from the Middle High German word "zeiß," which means "target" or "aim." This likely indicated a person's skill in archery or as a marksman.

Historical references to the name Zeiss can be found in various records and manuscripts from the medieval period. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name appears in a Bavarian charter from the year 1275, where a Heinrich Zeiss is mentioned as a landowner. Another early mention of the name can be found in 1340, in the tax records of Swabia, listing a Wilhelm Zeiss as a taxable resident.

Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has remained relatively consistent, although variations like "Zeiß" (using the German Eszett) can be found in older documents. The name appears in numerous parish records, land deeds, and other legal documents throughout German history, indicating its widespread use and the likely prominence of families bearing the name in their local communities.

One of the most famous people with this surname is Carl Zeiss (1816–1888), a renowned German optician and founder of the Zeiss optical company. His advancements in microscope technology left a significant mark on the fields of science and medicine. Another notable individual is Adolf Zeiss (1835–1884), a German geologist and professor who made important contributions to the study of paleontology and stratigraphy.

Further back in history, Martin Zeiss, born in 1572 and died in 1634, was a prominent silversmith in Augsburg, a city known for its fine craftsmanship. His works were highly regarded, and several pieces attributed to him are still displayed in various museums.

In the realm of politics, Maximilian Zeiss (1833–1905) served as a member of the Bavarian Landtag, the state parliament, during the late 19th century. His advocacy for agrarian reforms left an enduring impact on Bavarian agricultural policies.

Also of note is Franz Zeiss (1786–1848), who was known for his literary contributions to the Romantic movement in Germany. His poems and essays were published in several literary journals of the time, contributing to the cultural and intellectual landscape of the period.

The surname Zeiss continues to hold a place in history, with its bearers having made significant contributions across various fields, from science and craftsmanship to politics and literature. The lineage and legacy of the name are well-documented through centuries of historical records, reflecting the enduring presence and influence of the Zeiss family in German-speaking regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeiss

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

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

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

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