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

Zenger, 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 Zenger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zenger in America

Zenger is the 33280th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zenger surname appeared 687 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 Zenger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zenger 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 Zenger

The surname Zenger has its roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly within Germany and Switzerland. The name likely originated during the medieval period, approximately between the 12th and 15th centuries. It is believed to be derived from an occupational or descriptive nickname. The name could be linked to the Middle High German word "zanger," which refers to a cantor or a person who chants or sings liturgical music in church.

One of the earliest instances of the surname Zenger can be traced to records from the 14th century. In historical documents, such as parish registers and legal records, variations of the name have been noted. For example, the Swiss town of Zanggen could have contributed to the surname, reflecting a geographical link. Another expression of the surname appeared in the form Zwenger in old texts, showcasing the fluidity and variation in medieval German spelling practices.

Among the notable historical figures with the surname Zenger is John Peter Zenger (1697–1746), a German-American printer and journalist in New York City. He gained fame for his role in establishing the principle of freedom of the press in America following his acquittal in a landmark libel suit in 1735. This case significantly influenced American legal doctrine around press freedom.

Another prominent individual is Johann Zenger, a 17th-century resident of Bavaria who featured in local records as an influential citizen. Although substantial details about his life are limited, references to his land ownership and participation in local councils establish him as a figure of importance in his community.

In the realm of academia, Gabriel Zenger (born 1560) was a noted professor at a German university during the late Renaissance. His contributions to the study of theology and philosophy were well-documented in academic correspondences and faculty records of the time, marking the surname's presence in scholarly circles.

Swiss entries from the 16th century reveal the name Heinrich Zenger, a local magistrate in Canton Zurich, who appeared in civic records. His involvement in regional administrative affairs provides further evidence of the surname's historical significance within governance and public service.

Finally, Anna Zenger (1704–1751), wife of John Peter Zenger, played a crucial role following her husband's imprisonment. She continued their printing business and maintained the publication of their newspaper, which became a symbol of colonial resistance and journalistic integrity. Her efforts contributed to the legacy of the Zenger name in the historical context of early American media.

Collectively, these examples illustrate the rich and diverse history of the surname Zenger, emphasizing its long-standing ties to professions in media, academia, governance, and its geographic origins in German-speaking Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zenger

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

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

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

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