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

Zelmer, 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 Zelmer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zelmer in America

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

The Zelmer 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 Zelmer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zelmer 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 Zelmer

The surname Zelmer originates from Germany and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have its roots in the Germanic regions, particularly in areas like Saxony and Bavaria. The name is thought to be derived from the old Germanic elements "seli" meaning "house" and "meri" meaning "famous," suggesting that the name could be interpreted as "famous house."

The oldest known references to the surname Zelmer are found in medieval German records from the 13th century. A notable mention appears in a 1297 document from the region of Saxony, where a Wilhelm Zelmer is listed as a landowner. This reference indicates that the Zelmer family held some level of prominence during this period.

By the 15th century, the surname Zelmer had spread across various German-speaking regions. In 1453, a Hans Zelmer is recorded in a Bavarian tax register, where he is noted as a merchant. This suggests that members of the Zelmer family were involved in trade and commerce, contributing to the economic activity of their time.

The surname continued to appear in historical records throughout the following centuries. In the early 17th century, an Erasmus Zelmer is documented as a scholar and theologian in the city of Münster. Born in 1584 and passing in 1641, Erasmus Zelmer wrote several treatises on religious studies, indicating that the family had also made contributions to academic and intellectual life.

Another significant figure bearing the surname is Friedrich Zelmer, born in 1720 in Thuringia. Friedrich was known for his role in the military, serving as a captain in the Prussian Army during the early 18th century. His service records from 1745 highlight his participation in various military campaigns, showcasing the diverse paths taken by members of the Zelmer family.

In addition to these historical figures, the surname appears in various geographical contexts. The town of Zelmern, near Leipzig, likely derives its name from the same root, suggesting a possible place of origin for the family or its widespread influence.

Later in the 19th century, the surname also appears in emigration records. For instance, Johann Heinrich Zelmer, born in 1832, immigrated to the United States in 1856. His arrival in New York marks the beginning of the Zelmer family's presence in the New World, where descendants continued to grow and contribute to their communities.

Overall, the surname Zelmer carries a rich history, with origins in medieval Germany and a notable presence in various historical documents. The family name has been associated with landownership, commerce, scholarship, military service, and even geographical nomenclature, reflecting its lasting significance through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zelmer

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

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

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

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