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

Zeitler, 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 Zeitler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeitler in America

Zeitler is the 16150th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeitler surname appeared 1,791 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Zeitler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeitler 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 Zeitler

The surname Zeitler has its origins in Germany, with its first known usage tracing back to the medieval period, specifically around the 13th century. The name is predominantly found in the region of Bavaria, in southern Germany. The etymology of Zeitler can be linked to the Middle High German word "zeiter," which referred to a dairyman or someone who looked after livestock. It is probable that the name was occupational, describing someone involved in the dairy trade or herding animals.

In historical records, the surname appears in various forms such as Zeitter, Zieter, and Zeidl, reflecting regional dialects and the evolution of language over centuries. One of the earliest mentions of the surname can be found in Bavarian tax rolls and land records. These documents indicate families with the surname Zeitler owning and working significant parcels of land, suggesting their importance in local agricultural and economic activities.

A notable historical reference appears in the 14th century with Johann Zeitler, a citizen of Nuremberg, who was recorded in municipal documents concerning property transactions. Another early example includes Hans Zeitler, born in 1480, who was a respected member of the community in Munich, engaging in local governance. These records highlight the prominent role individuals with this surname played in their respective communities.

In the 16th century, the Zeitler name continued to be prominent. Michael Zeitler, born in 1525 in Augsburg, contributed to the brewing industry, which was flourishing in that period. His influence extended beyond his trade, as he was known for philanthropic efforts within his town. Similarly, records from the 17th century show the Zeitler family in Regensburg, with Georg Zeitler, born in 1601, recognized for his involvement in the local merchant guild, indicating the family's ongoing integration into various aspects of Bavarian commerce and society.

The 18th century brought another notable figure, Franz Karl Zeitler, born in 1738, who served as a city councilor in Bamberg and was involved in educational reform. His contributions to civic life were well-documented and praised in municipal records of the time. An additional example from this century is Maria Elisabeth Zeitler, born in 1765, whose work as a midwife made significant impacts on local healthcare practices.

Throughout history, the surname Zeitler has been associated with various trades and professions, reflecting the adaptability and integration of these families within their communities. The name's enduring presence across centuries underscores its historical and cultural significance within Germany.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeitler

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

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

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

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