Zellweger
A German occupational surname meaning "cellar worker" or referring to someone who worked with cellars.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Zellweger. That puts it at #118,853 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Zellweger surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#118,853
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
146
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 146 bearers of the surname Zellweger in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 118853rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Zellweger, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Zellweger
The surname Zellweger has its origins in Switzerland, specifically in the region known as Appenzell. The name likely originated during the late medieval period, around the 14th to 15th centuries. It is derived from the combination of elements "Zell," meaning a cell or a small monastery, and "Weger," which refers to a traveler or someone who lived by a path or road. This suggests that the original bearers of the name might have been people living near a monastic cell or those associated with such a location.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zellweger comes from the Appenzell region’s historical records. The name appears in various forms, including Zelligwäger and Zelliger, reflecting the orthographic variations common in medieval documents. The variations indicate the fluidity of spelling conventions before the standardization of written language.
Among the notable early bearers of the surname was Bartholomäus Zellweger (1654-1732), who was a significant figure in Appenzell. His contributions to local politics and his involvement in the administration of the canton are well-documented. The Zellweger family, in general, held various influential positions in Appenzell society, contributing to the region’s governance and economy.
Another prominent figure was Johann Conrad Zellweger (1825-1891), a historian and politician from Trogen, located in the Appenzell Ausserrhoden. Johann Conrad was instrumental in documenting the history of his region and contributed to the preservation of Swiss cultural heritage. His works remain a valuable resource for understanding the development of the Appenzell region.
Jakob Zellweger (1796-1856) was a notable industrialist from the same area. He was a key player in the textile industry, which was a significant economic activity in Appenzell during the 19th century. Jakob’s enterprises provided numerous jobs and contributed to the prosperity of the region. His legacy in Swiss industrial history underscores the economic impact of the Zellweger family.
Paul Zellweger (1858-1943), a descendent of this line, continued the family tradition of influence and accomplishment. He was an acclaimed medical researcher known for his studies in pathology. Paul Zellweger’s contributions to the medical field extended beyond Switzerland, earning him recognition in various scientific communities across Europe.
René Zellweger (1949-2012) further highlights the diversity of the Zellweger family’s influence. He was an economist and diplomat, and his career involved significant roles within Swiss diplomatic circles, contributing to international economic policy and fostering Switzerland’s relationships with other nations.
The surname Zellweger, with its deep roots in the Appenzell region of Switzerland, carries a rich history marked by significant contributions to politics, industry, academia, and diplomacy. The legacy of the Zellweger family exemplifies the lasting impact that a name can have across various facets of society and history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Zellweger
Among Census respondents with the surname Zellweger, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%.
The bar chart below shows how Zellweger bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Zellweger surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Zellweger surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #118,853 | #118,853 | 0.0% |
| Count | 146 | 146 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Zellweger bearers went from 146 to 146 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #118,853 to #118,853.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Zellweger
FAQ
Zellweger surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Zellweger?
The surname Zellweger holds position #118,853 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Zellweger surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Zellweger, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.