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

Zerba, 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 Zerba surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerba in America

Zerba is the 59742nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerba surname appeared 338 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 Zerba.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerba 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 Zerba

The surname Zerba is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically from the northern regions such as Piedmont and Lombardy. The name itself may have its roots in the Italian word serba, meaning "to serve" or "to keep". This could imply that the earliest bearers of the name were likely associated with servitude or the custodial professions.

Historical references to the surname Zerba can be found in medieval documents. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is from the 13th century in the form of a document listing landowners in the region of Piedmont. This indicates that the surname Zerba was used during a period when surnames were being formalized across Europe, particularly in Italy.

One notable individual carrying the surname Zerba was Giacomo Zerba, born in 1420 and documented in the city of Milan as a reputable merchant. The success and prominence of Giacomo's merchant activities contributed to the local recognition of the Zerba name during the Renaissance period when Milan was flourishing as a center of commerce.

In 1623, a Giovanni Zerba was mentioned in the city records of Turin for his role as a notary. Notaries during this time were highly respected as they were involved in the drafting and preservation of legal documents. Giovanni's inclusion in the city records highlights the professional and bureaucratic rise of the Zerba family within the administrative sectors of society.

Another historically significant figure with the surname Zerba is Lorenzo Zerba, a soldier born in 1759 who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. His name appears in military records describing his valor at the Battle of Marengo in 1800, suggesting that the Zerba family had members who participated actively in significant historical events during the early 19th century.

Throughout Italian history, the name Zerba appeared in various forms, including Zerbi and Serba, showing the possible phonetic variations and regional spellings that evolved. In the mid-19th century, Elisa Zerba, born in 1820, gained recognition as a writer whose works contributed to Italian literature and cultural heritage.

The surname Zerba is also found in place names, such as the small village of Zerba in the Piedmont region, offering further evidence of the geographical distribution of the family name. This village likely took its name from early inhabitants who bore the surname Zerba, further solidifying the connection between the name and its regional roots.

By examining these historical references, it becomes clear that the surname Zerba has a rich history intertwined with various professional, military, and literary milestones. The Zerba family has left an indelible mark on Italian history, with documented instances of prominence from the medieval period to the modern era.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerba

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

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

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

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