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

Zerfas, 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 Zerfas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerfas in America

Zerfas is the 59171st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerfas surname appeared 342 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 Zerfas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerfas 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 Zerfas

The surname Zerfas has its origins in the German-speaking regions of central Europe, specifically Germany. The name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th to 15th century. It finds its roots in the areas surrounding what are now the modern-day states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The name is thought to be derived from the Middle High German words "zer" and "fas," which roughly translate to "zehr" meaning "to consume" or "devour" and "fas," a variation of "Vase" meaning "container" or "vessel."

One of the earliest records of the surname appears in a 14th-century manuscript detailing local tax records in the town of Nuremberg, a vibrant hub of trade and culture during that time. The name was spelled as Zerfaß, with the eszett (ß) representing a sharp "s" sound, typical of German orthographic tradition. Various historical documents from different parts of southern Germany have similar spellings, including Zerfassen and Zerfass.

The surname Zerfas appeared in historical references such as the records from the Hanseatic League in the 15th century, which listed a merchant named Johannes Zerfass from Augsburg, born circa 1432 and died in 1501. His extensive trade routes and economic contributions are well-documented in the mercantile logs of the era.

In the 17th century, Peter Zerfas, a noted theologian born in 1598 and deceased in 1664, contributed significantly to religious scholarship. His writings and sermons were widely circulated within ecclesiastical circles, adding a scholarly dimension to the Zerfas name.

By the late 18th century, another significant individual emerged: Karl Zerfas, an accomplished musician and composer born in 1774 and dying in 1831. His compositions were influenced by classical German traditions and he performed in several esteemed courts across Europe, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape of his time.

The 19th century saw the rise of Heinrich Zerfas, an industrialist who was born in 1820 and passed away in 1878. He played a crucial role in the early industrialization of southern Germany. His business enterprises in manufacturing and textiles significantly contributed to local economies and technological advancements.

During the early 20th century, Maria Zerfas (1889-1943) became known as a pioneering social worker and activist who worked tirelessly for women's rights and social justice in Germany. Her efforts in social reform earned her widespread recognition and added a modern humanitarian legacy to the Zerfas name.

The Zerfas surname has thus traversed diverse fields such as trade, theology, music, industrialization, and social reform over several centuries. The historical traces of the Zerfas name are deeply embedded in the cultural and economic fabric of southern Germany, representing a legacy of accomplishment and contribution to society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerfas

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

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

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

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