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

Zercher, 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 Zercher surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zercher in America

Zercher is the 67943rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zercher surname appeared 290 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 Zercher.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zercher 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 Zercher

The surname Zercher has its origins in Germany, with its earliest recorded instances appearing in the region of what is now modern-day Switzerland and southwestern Germany. The name is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, around the 13th to 14th century. Derived from the Middle High German word "zerre," meaning "twisting" or "pulling," the name might have been occupational, potentially referring to someone involved in activities requiring physical twisting, such as rope making or textile work.

One of the earliest references to a similar name appears in various regional records from the High Middle Ages. Spelling variations such as Zerker or Zercherer were documented in tax registers and local censuses. These variations suggest that the name had been established and recognized in both urban and rural locales in the regions bordering the Rhine River.

Historical references note that the surname Zercher appeared in several notable documents. An early reference can be found in the Chronicles of the City of Basel, where a Heinrich Zercher was mentioned in 1397 as a local tradesman. This indicates that the name was well-established by the turn of the 15th century and had connections to regional commerce and community life.

In the 16th century, the Zercher name appeared in legal documents and property records across Germany and Switzerland. Hans Zercher, born in 1523 and recorded in a 1567 legal dispute in Zurich, highlights the name's presence and the involvement of its bearers in civic affairs. These appearances in legal documents demonstrate the socioeconomic status and established presence of the family in various localities.

By the 17th century, the name had spread further to include more distant regions of the Holy Roman Empire. A notable individual from this period is Jakob Zercher, born in 1645, a respected merchant based in Frankfurt. Historical records show Jakob's involvement in the local guilds and his contributions to the economic activities of his time.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in emigration records as many families moved from Europe to the Americas in search of better opportunities. For instance, Martin Zercher, born in 1710, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1747, becoming one of the early settlers of the region. His contributions to the community included establishing one of the first European-style farms in Lancaster County.

The 19th century saw further dispersion of the Zercher surname, particularly with the advent of more advanced record-keeping and the establishment of governmental archives. Friedrich Zercher, born in 1815, was a prominent figure in Baden-Württemberg and served as a municipal council member, helping to shape local policy during a time of significant social and political change.

Throughout history, the Zercher surname has been carried by individuals contributing to various aspects of society, from trade and politics to agriculture and community organization. These historical references provide a rich tapestry of the Zercher lineage, showcasing the enduring legacy of the name from its medieval Germanic origins to its presence in modern history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zercher

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

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

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

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