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

Zeltner, 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 Zeltner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeltner in America

Zeltner is the 57372nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeltner surname appeared 355 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 Zeltner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeltner 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 Zeltner

Zeltner is a surname with roots in Germany, particularly in the region of Bavaria. Its origins date back to medieval times, encapsulating a rich history interwoven with the social and linguistic fabric of the period. Bavaria, known for its diverse cultural heritage and historical significance, offers the perfect backdrop to the development of this surname.

The name Zeltner likely derives from the Middle High German word "zeltner" or "zeltmacher," which translates to "tent maker." During the medieval era, surnames often arose from occupations, indicating that the surname Zeltner was probably given to individuals or families involved in the manufacture or trade of tents. This occupational link places the surname in a specific socio-economic context of the time, highlighting the importance of various trades in the community.

Early records of the surname Zeltner are sparse but telling. Manuscripts from the 14th century in Bavaria mention individuals bearing the name, indicating its presence and usage in the region. Although specific documentation from that period is rare, references to trade guilds and town records sometimes include surnames like Zeltner, underscoring their established roles in society.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is found in a document from 1385, mentioning a Hans Zeltner, a noted tent-maker in the town of Augsburg. This reference not only provides a temporal anchor for the surname but also emphasizes the continuity of the occupational link. Another significant historical figure is Georg Zeltner, born in 1557, who served as a town official in Nuremberg, illustrating the integration of individuals with this surname into various civic roles.

In the subsequent centuries, the Zeltner name continued to surface in various records. Johann Zeltner, born in 1620, was a merchant who traded goods across the Bavarian region, further solidifying the economic ties of those bearing the surname. During the 18th century, Karl Zeltner, born in 1732, gained prominence as a scholar and writer, contributing to the intellectual landscape of the period.

The 19th century saw the emergence of another notable figure, Friedrich Zeltner, born in 1805, who was a prominent industrialist in Munich. His contributions to the burgeoning industrial sector highlight the versatility and adaptability of the Zeltner surname through changing economic landscapes.

In the absence of modern census data, these historical references and recorded instances provide a comprehensive view of the surname's origins, development, and notable bearers. The Zeltner surname, deeply rooted in Bavarian history, reflects a narrative of occupational heritage, civic integration, and socio-economic contributions across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeltner

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

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

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

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