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

Zerfoss, 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 Zerfoss surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerfoss in America

Zerfoss is the 78821st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerfoss surname appeared 242 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 Zerfoss.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerfoss 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 Zerfoss

The surname Zerfoss has its origins in Germany, particularly within the region of Rhineland-Palatinate and nearby areas. The name is derived from the German words "Zer" meaning "to split" or "to divide" and "Fosse" meaning "ditch" or "trench". This indicates that the name likely referred to someone who lived by or was responsible for a split or divided ditch, perhaps an important geographic or agricultural feature in medieval Germany.

The earliest references to this surname can be traced back to the late medieval period. Variations of the name appear in different historical records and manuscripts. A notable early instance can be found in the tax records of 14th-century Rhineland, showcasing the presence of individuals bearing this name who were likely landowners or farmers in the region.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with a variation of this surname, Dietrich Zerfoss, is found in the records dating back to 1372. He was noted as a landholder and a significant figure in his community. Another early mention comes from the town of Mainz, where a Johann Zerfuss appears in the municipal records of the early 15th century, indicating the surname's spread to other parts of Germany during this period.

Over time, the name evolved with slight variations in spelling, often influenced by regional dialects and linguistic changes. By the 16th century, the Zerfoss family was noted for its contributions to local trade and agriculture. Hans Zerfoss, born in 1569 and dying in 1634, was a prominent merchant and is recorded in the guild archives of Cologne. His business dealings extended to nearby regions, highlighting the growing mobility and influence of the family.

In the 18th century, as religious and economic factors prompted emigration, members of the Zerfoss family moved to other parts of Europe and even to the Americas. Friedrich Zerfoss, born in 1732, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1765. His descendants played significant roles in early American rural communities, retaining the agricultural connections that the name originally implied.

The 19th century saw more diversification in the professions taken up by those with the surname. Carl Zerfoss, born in 1821 and dying in 1887, became a well-known academic in Munich. His contributions to early botanical studies earned him recognition, and his name appears in several scientific publications of the era.

Throughout history, the surname Zerfoss has been associated with various fields, from agriculture to academia. Its origins tie it closely to the German landscape and its historical legacy is reflected in the documents and records where it appears. The name continues to carry a sense of historical depth and regional specificity, befitting its long-standing presence in European and American history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerfoss

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

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

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

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