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

Zephier, 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 Zephier surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zephier in America

Zephier is the 42858th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zephier surname appeared 505 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 Zephier.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zephier 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 Zephier

The surname Zephier is relatively uncommon and does not have clear roots in widely-known or historically documented European surnames. It appears the name might have origins that are less conventional and less documented compared to more common surnames. One possible root might be connected linguistically to words that imply a relationship with the wind or air, stemming from the Greek god Zephyrus, who was the god of the west wind. The derivation from such a classical source is not unusual, as many surnames evolved from words that described nature, professions, or characteristics of individuals.

The earliest records of the surname Zephier are more difficult to trace. The surname does not appear in ancient medieval texts such as the Domesday Book of 1086, which might indicate that it is not of early English origin. Instead, it is plausible that the surname has links to regions where naming conventions might not have been as rigidly documented in the medieval period.

In North America, the history of the surname Zephier shows indications that it may have connections with indigenous families or those of mixed ancestry. This is particularly evident in the lineage from the Lakota Sioux tribe. For instance, one prominent person with this surname is Loren "Bill" Zephier Sr., a notable figure who has been involved in Native American rights activism. Loren Zephier was born in the early 20th century and dedicated much of his life to preserving the rights and culture of his people.

Another significant bearer of this surname was Phillip Zephier, born in the mid-1900s, who became known for his work in traditional Native American crafts, especially as a silversmith. His works are celebrated for preserving and promoting the craftsmanship that is central to many Native American cultures. Phillip Zephier's work in traditional silversmithing gained prominence during the latter half of the 20th century.

Delphine Zephier, born in the late 19th century, was another key figure known within the Lakota Sioux community for her storytelling and efforts to preserve oral traditions. Oral traditions have long been a cornerstone of maintaining the cultural and historical narratives of many Native American tribes.

Joseph Zephier, born in the early 19th century, played a crucial role during periods of great change and challenge for the Lakota people. His contributions to community welfare and education were pivotal during times when indigenous communities faced systems of assimilation and displacement.

Lastly, Mary Zephier, an educator and cultural advocate in the early 20th century, worked tirelessly to share and preserve the Lakota language and traditions in schools and cultural institutions. Her efforts have left a lasting legacy in promoting the understanding and appreciation of Native American heritage.

The surname Zephier thus holds a rich, albeit less widely-known, history that intertwines with the preservation and advocacy of Native American culture and rights in more recent centuries. The roots of the name, while not clearly traceable to European medieval origins, denote a lineage deeply embedded within the history and cultural fabric of the Lakota Sioux and broader Native American identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zephier

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

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

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

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