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

Zerby, 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 Zerby surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerby in America

Zerby is the 29309th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerby surname appeared 807 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 Zerby.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerby 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 Zerby

The surname Zerby has its origins rooted in the Germanic regions of Central Europe, particularly in what is now modern-day Germany and Switzerland. The name dates back to the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries, a time when surnames were becoming more common as a means of identifying individuals beyond just their given names. The name is believed to be derived from the German word "zerben," which means "to destroy" or "to devastate," suggesting initial associations with a warrior or someone involved in military activities. It could also be related to the Old High German word "serbeo," denoting a tenant farmer or servant.

Historical references to Zerby can be found in various medieval records, such as tax rolls, legal documents, and land grants. One early reference can be traced to a 1287 land charter in the Rhineland, which mentions Heinrich Zerben, a landowner of significant repute at that time. The name's spelling varied across different regions and documents, often appearing as Zerbey, Zerben, or Zerbee. As literacy rates increased and record-keeping improved, the modern form Zerby became more standardized.

An example of early recorded instances includes the Zerben family from Bavaria, who were documented in municipal records in the early 1300s. Sebastian Zerben, born circa 1310, emerged as a notable figure in 14th century Augsburg, known for his role in local trade affairs and municipal governance. By the 15th and 16th centuries, records show migration patterns where families bearing the Zerby name moved westward, settling in regions that are now parts of France and the Low Countries.

In the United States, the Zerby surname can be traced to colonial times, notably with the arrival of German and Swiss immigrants during the 18th century. One notable Zerby was Johann Friedrich Zerby, born in 1738 in Bavaria, who later immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1755. He established himself as a farmer and was an early settler in Berks County. His descendants continued to propagate the surname, contributing to the burgeoning American frontier communities.

Among the prominent individuals bearing the Zerby surname is Howard Zerby (1847-1920), a respected journalist and newspaper publisher from Ohio. His work in the late 19th century positioned him as a significant figure in American media. In the 20th century, another noteworthy individual is Marion Zerby (1918-1986), a pioneering lawyer and activist known for her advocacy in civil rights in Southern California.

The surname Zerby encapsulates a rich history that mirrors the movements and societal changes of its bearers from medieval Europe to modern America. Each spelling variation and geographic relocation highlight the adaptability and enduring nature of this unique surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerby

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

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

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

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