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

Zephirin, 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 Zephirin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zephirin in America

Zephirin is the 66553rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zephirin surname appeared 297 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 Zephirin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zephirin 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 Zephirin

The surname Zephirin is most likely of French origin, dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Greek word "zephyros," meaning "west wind" or "gentle breeze." It is believed to have been used in a religious or saintly context, referencing Saint Zephyrinus, who was Pope from 199 to 217 AD. This name was later adopted by French-speaking Christians as a surname.

In the regions of France, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country, Zephirin appears in various medieval manuscripts and church records. One of the earliest instances can be traced back to a 13th-century document, where a Jean Zephirin was mentioned in a land grant. The spelling variations such as Zephyrin and Zepheryn can be observed in different historical texts.

During the 15th century, the name was relatively rare but began to surface more frequently in Normandy and Brittany. One notable individual from this period was Pierre Zephirin, a merchant from Rouen, who was recorded in city council minutes from 1483. His contributions to the local economy were documented, providing valuable insight into the commercial practices of the time.

By the 17th and 18th centuries, the Zephirin surname gained prominence within the French colonial territories. Jacques Zephirin, born in 1657, was a notable explorer and trader who ventured to New France, now known as Quebec. His efforts in establishing trade routes with indigenous peoples were significant in the expansion of French influence in North America.

In the realm of the arts, Françoise Zephirin, born in 1798, gained acclaim as a painter during the early 19th century. Her works, primarily portraits and landscapes, were exhibited in several Parisian salons and continue to be studied for their stylistic contributions to the Romantic movement.

Moving into the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Zephirin name appeared in various sectors, including politics and academia. Jean-Baptiste Zephirin, born in 1832, served as a member of the French National Assembly during the turbulent period of the Second French Empire. His legislative efforts focused on educational reforms and social justice, reflecting the progressive ideals of his time.

Lastly, Henri Zephirin, born in 1874, was a renowned scholar and author who specialized in medieval French literature. His extensive publications and lectures on the chansons de geste, epic poems of the 11th to 15th centuries, contributed significantly to the academic understanding and appreciation of this literary genre.

The surname Zephirin, with its deep historical roots and association with various fields of endeavor, offers a captivating glimpse into the cultural and historical tapestry of France and its colonial extensions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zephirin

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!