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

Zerbst, 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 Zerbst surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerbst in America

Zerbst is the 79598th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerbst surname appeared 239 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 Zerbst.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerbst 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 Zerbst

The surname Zerbst originates from Germany, specifically from the region of Anhalt, in what is now Saxony-Anhalt. The name is derived from the town of Zerbst, which has a history dating back to the 10th century. Historically, Zerbst was an important center situated in the Elbe-Börde Heath area and played a significant role during the medieval period.

The name Zerbst is derived from older Germanic and Slavic linguistic roots. In old Slavic, the word "serbsce" referred to a marshy or swampy area, which aligns with the town's geographical features. Over time, the term evolved phonetically to Zerbst. The town of Zerbst itself is first mentioned in a document from 949 AD when King Otto I granted it to his brother.

Old records and manuscripts provide evidence of the name's presence in historical documents. One of the earliest mentions is found in the chronicles of the early medieval period, highlighting the importance of the area under the Holy Roman Empire. Through the years, the town developed into a significant locale for trade and political administration within the Duchy of Anhalt.

Among notable historical figures bearing the surname Zerbst, one prominent person is John Augustus, Duke of Saxe-Zerbst, who was born in 1677 and ruled until his death in 1718. His reign marked a significant period for the Duchy, enhancing its political influence in the region. Catherine the Great's father, Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, is another figure of importance. Born in 1690 and governing until his death in 1747, he played a critical role in European aristocracy, primarily as the father of one of Russia's most famous rulers.

Furthermore, Anastasius Zerbst was a notable theologian in the 17th century. His sermons and theological writings had a considerable impact during the period of the Protestant Reformation in Germany. He was well known for his works that discussed the theological debates of that era.

In modern history, the name Zerbst also appears in cultural domains. For example, Manfred Zerbst, a 20th-century sculptor born in 1928 and recognized for his contributions to contemporary art in Germany, represents the persistence of this surname through the centuries.

Thus, the surname Zerbst has a rich and varied history rooted deeply in Germanic and Slavic traditions, associated with noble lineages, religious influences, and contributions to the arts. The evolution of the name reflects the dynamic history of the region and the significant figures who bore the name through the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerbst

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

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

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

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